University  of  California  •  Berkeley 


I 


COMMERCE 

OP 

AMERICA  WITH   EUROPE-, 

PARTICULARLY    WITH 

FRANCE  AND  GREAT-BRITAIN; 
COMPARATIVELY    STATED   AND   EXPLAINED, 

SHIWIKG 

THE  IMPORTANCE  OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION 

TO  THE  INTERESTS  OF  FRANCE, 
AND  POINTING  OUT  THE  ACTUAL  SITUATION 


OF   THS. 

UNITED  STATES  OF  NORTH-AM£££CA, 

IN   REGARD   TO 

Trade,  Manufactures  and  Population 


1ERIC. 


By  J.  P.  BRISSOT  DE  WA*Y;ILLE, 

AND 

ETIENNE  CLAVIERE, 


Tranflated  from  the  laft  French  Edition, 

•Jlevifed  by  BRISSOT,  and  called  the  SE CON  D  VOLUME  of  his 
View  of  America. 

Y7ith  the  Life  of  BRISSOT,  and  an  Appendix, 
By  the  Tranjlator. 


^Printed  and  fold  by  T.  and  J.  SWORDS,  No.  99  Pearl-ftreet, 
—  1795.— 


A 

SKETCH  OF  THE  LIFE 

OF 

J.  P.   B  R  I  S  S  O  T- 

By  the  Editor. 


£  was  born  nt  the  village  of  Ouarville,  near 
Ohatres,  in  Oreannois,  on  the  i4th  of  January, 
1754.  His  father  was  what  the  French  called  a 
Traiteur  ;  that  is,  keeper  of  an  eating  houfe  or  an  or 
dinary.  He  was  intended  for  the  profeffion  of  the 
law,  and  was  articled  to  an  attorney  for  that  pur- 
pofe.  But  he  grew  difgufled  with  the  chicane  and 
turpitude  he  was  daily  obliged  to  witnefs,  and  there 
fore,  after  the  five  years  of  the  articlefhip  were  ex 
pired,  he  left  Chatres  and  went  to  Paris. 

An  accident  one  night  at  the  theatre  at  Paris  plac 
ed  him  in  the  company  of  an  Englifh  gentleman. 
They  became  intimate,  and  from  this  gentleman  he 
obtained  fome  knowledge  of  the  Englifh  language ; 
which  he  afterwards  improved  by  a  refidence  in 
London. 

He  had  received  n  regular  clallical  education,  and 
acquired,  by  ftrift  application^  tolerable  knowledge 
of  the  German,  Italian,  and  Spanifh  languages,  fuf- 
ficient  to  confult  the  authors  who  have  written  in 
thofe  languages.  On  his  arrival  at  Paris,  his  firft 
a  2  fhidy 


IV  SKETCH    OF  THE  LIFE 

Itudy  was  jurifprudence,  with  an  intention  of  fee- 
coming  an  advocate  in  parliament.  No  fcience 
however  efcaped  his  attention.  He  attended  lec 
tures  and  experiments  in  every  branch  of  fcience; 
wherein  his  active  genius  found  ample  exercMe. 
Chymiftry  was  his  favourite  object  of  purfuit;  but 
his  circumftances  were  too  limited  to  indulge  much 
in  it.  The  fmall  patrimony  which  he  inherited  from 
liis  father  did  not  exceed  forty  pounds  per  annum. 

In  the  year  1777  he  made  his  firfltourto  London. 
During  his  ftay  in  London  he  became  engaged  in 
the  conduct  of  a  French  newfpaper,  at  that  time 
called  the  Courier  deVEurcpe,  but  fince  the  Courier  de 
Lcr.clres.  Some  mifunderftanding  having  happened 
concerning  the  ftamps  (at  the  ftamp-office  in  Lon 
don)  for  this  paper,  the  proprietor  took  a  refolntion 
of  printing  it  at  Boulogne  fur- mei*;  and  Briflbt  was 
appointed  the  Editor,  and  rcfided  at  Boulogne  for 
that  purpofe.  He  continued  in  this  capacity  at  Bou 
logne  about  two  years.  From  thence  he  went  to 
Paris,  and  \vasadmitted  Counfellor  in  Parliament. — 
Early  in  the  year  1782  he  went  to  Neufchatel  to  fu- 
perintend  the  printing  of  one  of  his  books  (mentioned 
hereafter).  This  was  the  memorable  period  of  the 
revolution  at  Geneva.  Here  he  became  acquainted 
with  M,  Clavicre  and  M.  dn  Rovray,  who,  with  a 
•ere  expelled  that  city,  and  fought 
nd. 

rumn  of  tL'-j:  year,  he  mrrried  a  daughter 

ci  Boulogne.     This  young  lady 

:  f)   the  celebrated  Madam: 

de   4  fituation  for  her  in  \\\t 

of  'lie  Duke  de  Chprires,  late  Duke  of  Or- 

:,  v.'i.o  fuffered  under  the  guillotine;  in  which 

ilic  continued  foroe  time  after  her  marriage. 

"•f  the  year   1783,  he  vifited 

ion  a  fecond  time.     His  view  in  this  journey 

rn  in  London,  a  Lyceum,  or  Academy 

of 


-4- 


OF    J.  P.  BRISSOT.  V 

of  Arts  and  Sciences,  together  with  an  office  of  ge 
neral  correspondence.  In  this  undertaking  he  was 
encouraged  by  fome  of  the  firft  literary  men  in 
France;  and  a  Monfieur  du  Forge,  mufician  at  Pa 
ris,  was  fo  captivated  with  the  Icheme,  that  he  ad 
vanced  four  thoufand  livres,  (i661.)  for  one  third 
fhare  of  the  profits.  Briflbt  was  to  have  the  fole  ma 
nagement,  and  the  other  two  thirds  of  the  profits. 
He  took  a  houfe  in  Newman-ftreet,  Oxford-ftreet ; 
and  publifhed  a  profpectus  of  his  undertaking.  He 
fent  for  his  wife  and  his  youngeft  brother  (his  elded 
brother  was  a  prieft.)  At  this  time  he  commenced 
his  defcription  of  the  fciences  in  England  (mentioned 
hereafter)  to  be  publiflied  monthly,  Having  in  one 
of  his  publications  taken  occafion  to  vindicate  the 
Chevalier  Launay,  editor  of  the  Courier  dtt  Nerd, 
printed  at  Maeftricht,  the  editor  of  the  Courier  as 
rEurope,  now  M.  du  Morande,  was  fo  highly  of 
fended  by  it,  that'-he  became  from  that  time  Briflbt's 
moft  determined  enemy.  It  is  to  be  obferved,  that 
the  Courier  du  Nord,  and  the  Courier  de  1'Europe, 
were  rival  newfpapers.  De  Launay  quitted  Maff- 
tricht,  and  went  to  Paris,  where  he  was  immediately 
put  into  the  Baftile,  and  was  never  more  heard  of. 

In  the  month  of  May,  1784,  Briflbt  \vas  arrefted 
by  his  printer  in  London.  Although  he  was  at  this 
time  very  well  known  to  feveral  perlons  of  rank  and 
fortune,  yet  he  was  too  delicate  to  apply  to  any  of 
them  for  pecuniary  afliflance.  But  after  remaining 
a  day  or  two  in  a  lock-up  houfe  in  Gray's  Inn  Lane, 
he  fent  his  brother  to  an  intimate  friend,  who  in- 
flantly  paid  the  printer  his  bill,  and  liberated  him. 

The  next  morning  Briflbt  fet  out  for  France, 
leaving  his  wife  and  brother  in  England,  a  flu  ring 
them  he  would  quickly  return,  which  he  certainly 
intended.  But  in  this  he  was  feverely  difappointed. 
Thus  ended  his  literary  enterprife  of  eflablifhing  a 
JLyceum  .in  London,  in  which  he  embarked  his 
a  3  whole 


VI  SKETCH   OF  THE  LIFE 

whole  property  with  a  degree  of  infatuation  and  zeal 
that  feemed  to  border  upon  infanity.  During  his 
refidence  in  London  he  became  acquainted  with  one 
Count  de  Pelleport,  author  of  feveral  pamphlets 
againft  the  principal  perfons  of  the  French  Court, 
particularly  of  one  called  Soirees  d' Antoinette,  for  the 
apprehenfion  of  the  author  of  which  the  French 
court  offered  a  thoufand  pounds  (1000  Louis)  re 
ward.  Briflbt,  inftead  of  proceeding  directly  to  Pa 
ris,  flopped  at  Boulogne,  and  refided  there  with  his 
mother-in-law :  here  he  refolved  to  continue  his 
publication  on  the  original  plan.  Du  M know 
ing  that  Pelleport  was  the  author  of  the  offenfive 
pamphlet,  and  that  Bri (Tot  and  Pelleport  were  inti 
mate,  refolved  to  obtain  the  reward,  and  gratify  his 
refrntment.  He  applied  to  Pelleport,  offering  him 
the  fuperintendance  of  a  publication  to  be  carried  on 
at  Bruges,  (near  Oftend,)  the  falary  of  which  was 
to  be  two  hundred  pounds  per  annum.  Pelleport 
accepted  the  offer.  But  it  was  necelTary  to  flop  at 
Boulogne,  where  feme  final  arrangements  were  to  be 
made.  In  the  month  of  July,  Pelleport  embarked  for 
Boulogne  with  Captain  Meredith.  But  the  moment 
be  landed,  he  was  feized  by  the  officers  of  the  Police, 
who  put  him  in  chains  and  carried  him  to  Paris, 

where  he  was  fent  to  the  Baftile.  Du  M was  an 

agent  of  the  Police  of  Paris.  Information  being 
given  to  the  Police,  that  Briflbt  was  at  Boulogne, 
;.ud  that  he  was  the  intimate  friend  of  Pelleport,  he 
immediately  taken  into  cuflody,  carried  to  Pa- 
and  committed  to  the  Baftile.  However,  it  is 
certain  that  Briflbt  never  wrote  any  thing  againft  ei 
ther  the  King  or  Queen  of  France.  He  was  fincere 
in  his  abhorrence  of  the  arbitrary  and  defpotic  prin 
ciples  of  the  French  government,  but  with  refpcct 
to  the  private  conduct  of  the  King  and  Queen,  he  ne 
ver  beftowed  thefmalleft  attention  upon  it.  In  this 
human  vi&ims,  he  continued  about  fix 

weeks. 


OF  J.  P.  BRISSOT.  V^i 

weeks,  His  wife  applied  to  Madame  Genlis  in  his 
favour,  and  Madame  Genlis  moft  generoufly  made 
a  point  of  it  with  the  Duke  de  Chartres  to  obtain  his 
liberty.  The  Duke  de  Chartres's  interference  does 
not  appear  by  any  document;  but  Briflbt's  acquitta] 
of  the  charge  brought  againfl  him  appears  in  the 
following  report  of  his  examination,  made  to  the- 
French  minifter,  M.  Breteuil,  on  the  ^th  of  September, 

"  The  Sieur  BritTot  de  Warvilie  was  conveyed  tcr- 
"  the  Baftile  on  the  day  after  the  Sieu  rde  Pelleport,. 
"who  was  arrefted  at  Boulogne  fur-mer,  arrived  at 
"  Paris.  In  confequence  of  his  connections  with 
*'  this  man,  guilty  of  writing  libels,  he  was  fufpetfted 
"  of  having  been  his  coadjutor.  Theatteftation  of 
c<  a  boy  iu  tlie  printing-office,  from  whence  one  of 
"  thefe  libe1^  nTued,  gave  ilrength  to  fufpicions;  "but 
"  this  attefration,  tranfmitted  from  London,  is  def- 
"  titute  of  authenticity;  and  the  Sieur  Erinbr  c!.« 
*'  Warvilie,  who  has  very  latisfadlorlly  anfwered  to 
i;  the  interrogatories  which  were  put  to  hirn^  attri- 
*'  butes  his  crimination  to  the  animofity  of  enemies 
4i  whom  he  conceives  to  have  plotted  againfl  him  iix 
"  London.  The  Sieur  Briflbt  de  Warvilie  is  a  man 
<c  of  talents,  and  of  letters; -he  appears  to  have  form- 
"  ed  fy items »  and  to  entertain  extraordinary  princi- 
"  pies;  but  it  is  certain  that,  for  the  lafl  feven  or 
"  eight  months,  his  connections  with  the  Sieur  de 
"  Pelleport  had  ceafed,  and  that  he  employed  him- 
"  felf  folely  upon  a  periodical  paper,  which  he  ob- 
**  tained  permiffion  to  circulate  and  fell  in  France, 
"  after  having  fubmitted  it  to  the  examination  of  a 
"  licenfer." 

It  is  proper  to  obferve,  that  the  addition  of  de 
IFarville,  which  BrifTot  made  to  his  name,  (to  dif- 
tinguifli  himfelf  from  his  elder  brother)  is  a  kind  of 
local  defignation, not  uncommon  in  many  countries* 
William  of  Malmlbury,  Georfry  of  Monmouth,  Ra» 
pinde  Thoyras,  Joau  d'Arc,  &c.  &c.  But  in  ths 

ortko- 


Viii  SKETCH   OF  TH2  LIFE 

orthography  he  fubftituted  the  Englifli  W  for  the 
French  dipthong  pu;  the  found  of  that  dipthong 
being  fimiiar  to  our  W.  Thus  Ouarville  is  pro 
nounced  JFarville  in  both  languages. 

In  a  very  fhort  time  after  his  releafe  from  theBaf- 
tile,  he  very  honourably  difcharged  .his  pecuniary- 
obligation  to  his  friend  in  London. 

In  the  year  1787,  which  was  the  era  of  the  foun 
dation  of  the  French  revolution,  the  Duke  de  Ohar- 
tres.  now  become  Duke  of  Orleans  by  the  death  of 
his  father,  embraced  the  party  of  the  parliament 
iigainft  the  Court.  Upon  the  principle  of  gratitude 
BriiTot  attached  himfelf  to  the  Duke  of  Orleans.  As 
an  honeft  man  he  could  not  do  otherwife. 

We  fhall  here  pafs  by  his  tour  to  America,  and 
fome  other  circumftances,  becaufe  they  are  intimate* 
]y  connected  with  the  account  of  his  writings,  which 
is  fubjoined. 

Upon  his  return  to  France  he  found  that  his  cele 
brity  had  not  been  diminifhed  by  his  abfence.  He 
was  elected  a  member  of  the  Conftituent  Affembly, 
and  was  much  engaged  in  the  committees  of  refearch, 
of  which  he  was  the  reporter.  He  was  alfo  elected 
a  member  of  the  Legiflative  Aflembly  for  the  depart 
ment  of  Paris,  .  It  muft  be  obferved,  that  the  revo 
lution  caft  a  veil  over  the  crimes  of  all  thofe  who 
had  been  obliged  to  leave  their  country.  In  this 

group  who  returned  to  France  was  Du  M .     He 

oppofed  Briflbt  in  his  eleftion  for  Paris,  but  Briflbt 
was  elected  by  a  majority  of  more  than  three  to  one3 
However,  Du  M 's  party  were  exceffively  morti 
fied;  and  they  unceafmgly  calumniated  Briflbt  in  the 
moft  opprobrious  terms  M.  Petion,  mayor  of  Paris, 
and  who  was  BrifTot's  friend  and  townfman,  contri 
buted  much  to  ftr.-njthen  his  intereft  and  afccn- 
dency. 

Briflbt  now  diftinguifned  himfelf  as  one  of  the 
Amis  ties  Ncirs  (friend  of  the  Negroes)  of  whom  he 

\vas 


OF  J.  P.  BRISSOT.  IK. 

was  a  moft  zealous  advocate.  In  a  fpeech  which  he 
delivered  in  the  Aflembly  in  the  year  1791,  there  is 
a  (Irong  trait  of  philanthropy. 

Of  this  fpeech  the  following  is  a  fnort  extra6U 
"  You  have  heard  of  enormities  that  freeze  you  with 
horror;  but  Phalaris  fpoke  not  of  his  brazen  bull,. 
he  lamented  only  the  dagger  that  his  own  cruelty 
had  raifed  againit  him.  The  colonifls  have  related 
inftancesof  ferocity;  but  give  me,  faid  he,  an  in 
formed  brute}and  I  will  foon  make  a  ferocious  mon- 
fter  of  him.  It  was  a  white  man  who  fid!  threw  a 
negro  into  a  burning  oven  ;  who  dafhed  out  the 
brains  of  a  child  in  the  prefence  of  its  father;  who 
fed  a  {lave  with  its  own  proper  flefh.  Thefe  are  the 
monfters  that  have  to  account  for  the  barbarity  of 
the  revolted  favages.  Millions  of  Africans  have  pe- 
riftied  on  this  foil  of  blood.  You  break,  at  every  ftep, 
the  bones  of  the  inhabitants,  that  nature  has  given 
to  thefe  iflands :  and  you  ihudder  at  the  relation  of 
their  vengeance.  In  this  dreadful  ftruggle  the  crimes 
of  the  whites  are  yet  the  moft  horrible.  They  are 
the  offspring  of  defpotifm :  whilft  thofe  of  the  blacks 
originate  in  the  hatred  of  flavery,  and  4he  thirft  of 
revenge.  Is  philofophy  chargeable  with  thefe  hor 
rors?  Does  fhe  require  the  blood  of  the  colonifls  ? 
Brethren,  file  cries,  be  juft,  be  beneficent,  and  you 
will  profper. — Eternal  flavery  muft  be  an  eternal 
(bui-ce  of  crimes; — diveft  it  at  lead  of  the  epithet 
ritrnal ;  foranguifli  that  knows  no  limitation  of  pe 
riod  can  only  produce  defpair." 

Upon  the,  abolition  of  the  French  monarchy,  in 
the  month  of  September  1792,  the  Legiflative  Af- 
fembly  diflblved  itfelf.  The  conftitution  being  dif- 
folved  by  the  abolition  of  the  King,  they  conceived 
that  it  was  the  inherent  right  of  the  people  to  chooie 
a  new  reprefentation,  in  order  to  frame  a  new  confti- 
tution,  fuited  to  the  wifhes  of  the  people,  and  to  the 
neceflity  of  the  exifting  circumftances  of  the  times. 


X.  SKETCH   OF   THI  LIFE 

In  this  general  election  BrifTot  was  elected  one  of  the 
deputies  from  the  department  of  Eure  and  Loire, 
His  abilities  and  talents  became  every  day  more  con- 
fpicuou^v  He  was  chofen  the  Reporter  of  the  Com 
mittee  of  Public  Safety;  in  which  fituation  he  con- 
dueled  himfelf  v/ithout  reproach,  until  the  treache 
rous  conduct  of  Dumourier  threw  a  fufpicion  on 
the.  whole  of  the  Gironde  party. 

Although  afTailed  on  all  fides  by  his  enemies,  his 
character  afperfed  and  depreciated  by  the  bafeft  of 
calumnies,  Briffot  (hewed  himfelf  confident  with  his 
public  principles  of  philanthropy. 

In  the  dreadful  maiTacre  of  the  3d  of  September, 

his  opponents,  particularly  Du  M >  fought  every 

opportunity  to  accomplifh  his  deftruclion,  by  ac- 
cufing  him  of  being  a  principal  infligator  of  thofc 
horrors.  And  it  muft  be  owned,  that  thefe  repeated 
and  continual  calumnies  weakened  him  in  the  pub 
lic  efteem.  Da  'M was  perfectly  acquainted 

with  the  Englifh  method  of  writing  a  man  down. 

When  Condorcet  moved  for  the  abolition  of  roy 
alty,  BrifTot  was  filent, 

When  the  motion  was  made  to  pafs  fentence  of 
death  on  the  King,  .Briffot  fpoke  and  voted  for  the 
sppeal  to  the  primary  gflemblies. 

When  Fayette  was  cenfured,  Briffot  defended  him.1 

When  the  Duke  of  Orleans  (M.  de  Egaliie)  was 
cenfured.  Briffbt  defended  him. 

The  two  firft  feem  to  have  arifen  in  principles  of 
bumaii:t;r. 

The  t\vohft,unque{iionablv,arofe  in  the  iirongeft 
ties  of  gratitude  and  friendihip. 

A  confcientious  man  cannot  fufFer  a  more  fevere 
affliction,  than  when  his  private  honour  places  him, 
againft  his  public  duty,. 


OF  J.  P.  BRISSOT.  XI 

*Qf  Sri/fit's  Writings ;  and  particularly  of  this  Work, 

Upon  the  fettlement  of  the  American  government 
after  the  war,  he  became  an  enthufiaftic  admirer  of 
the  new  conftitution  of  that  great  country.  But 
fome  French  perfons,  who  had  been  in  America,  and 
were  returned  to  France,  had  publifhedtheir*houghts 
and  opinions  of  America,  in  a  manner  that  was  no 
thing  fhort  of  illiberally.  The  reader  will  .find  the 
principal  names  of  thefe  writers  in  the  thirty-fecond 
chapter  of  the  firft  volume.  Briffot  was  fired  with 
indignation  at  this  treatment  of  a  people,  whom  he 
conceived  could  not  in  any  wife  have  deferved  fucb 
reproach  ;  and,  imagining  that  the  general  peace  in 
1783,  had  opened  an  honourable  and  free  commu 
nication  of  reciprocal  commercial  advantages  be 
tween  America  and  France,  he  wrote  this  volume  with 
the  view  of  fupportingand  eftabliming  that  primary 
idea,  or  theory  of  a  French  commerce  with  the  Unit 
ed  States. 

Upon  this  point  it  is  no  more  than  ordinary  can 
dour  to  obferve,  that  all  which  BrifTot  recommends, 
•explains,  or  relates,  concerning  a  French  commerce 
with  the  United  States,  applies  equally,  and  in  fome 
points  more  than  equally,  to  the  Britifh  commerce 
•with  them.  Every  Britifli  merchant  and  trader  may 
derive  fome  advantage  from  a  general  view  of  the 
principles  which  he  has  laid  down  for  the  eftablifh- 
ment  and  regulation  of  a  reciprocal  commerce  be 
tween  France  and  America.  The  produce  and  ma 
nufactures  of  England  are  infinitely  better  Anted  to 
the  wants  of  America;  arid  therefore  all  his  theory, 
which  is  dire&ed  to  the  welfare  and  improvement  of 
France,  mud  ftrongly  attach  the  attention  of  the 
Britifli  merchant  and  mechanic;  who,  in  this  great 
point,  have  not  at  prefent  any  fuperiors,  but  have 
.fcveral  rivals.  Briflbt's  ambition  was  to  make  France 

the 


fcil  SKETCH   OF   THE  LIFE 

the  greateft  and  mod  powerful  rival.  And  every 
candid  perfon  muft  allow  that  he  deferred  much  cre 
dit  of  his  countrymen  for  the  progrefs  he  made,  in 
this  firft  attempt,  to  open  the  eyes  of  the  French 
nation  to  proipedts  of  new  fources  of'  advantage.  All 
that  is  farther  neceflary  to  fay  of  this  work,  is  faid  by 
Briflbt  himfeif  in  the  introduction,  from  the  tenth 
to  the  twentieth  pages.  In  the  laft  French  edition 
of  BrifTot's  Travels  in  America,  publiihed  by  him 
feif,  about  feven  or  eight  months  before  his  decapi 
tation,  this  volume  is  placed  the  laft  of  that  work. 
We  have  followed  the  Author's  arrangement,  and 
collated  the  whole  by  the  laft  Paris  edition. 

Of  the  preoeding'volume,  entitled,  "  New  Tra- 
rels  in  the  United  States  of  America,"  we  have  no 
thing  to  add:  the  whole  of  the  French  edition  is  now 
before  the  reader. 

Of  Briffot's  other  works  it  is  proper  to  mention 
the  following. 

The  Tkecry  of  Criminal  Laws,  in  two  volumes — Al 
though  M.  la  Cretelle,  at  the  conclufion  of  his  Eflay 
on  the  Prejudices  attached  to  Infamy,  fpeaks  in  flat 
tering  terms  of  this  work;  for  he  fays,  that  it  exhi 
bits  an  extenfible  knowledge,  and  fjiews  the  writer's 
ambition  afcends  to  great  principles ;  yet  to  thofe 
perfons  who  have  read  Becaria's  Efiay  on  Crimes  and 
Punifhments,  it  will  not  appear  that  Briflbr  has  added 
much  novelty  to  the  fubjeci. 

The  Neceft/y  of  a  Reform  of  the  Criminal  Laws. 

What  Reparation  is  due  to  innocent  Perfons   unjuftly 
accufed. 

Thefe  were  two  difcourfes  which  were  crowned 
by  the  Academy  of  Chalons  fur  Marne,  and  were 
printed  in  the  form  of  two  pamphlets.  The  minif- 
ters  of  Louis  XVI.  were  a  good  deal  offended  at  the 
principles  they  contained,  and  they  forbid  the  Aca 
demy  propofing  the  difm  fling  of  fimilar  fubjecls  at 
of  their  future  meetings. 

This 


OF  J.  P.  BRISSOT.  xili 

This  check  ferved  but  as  a  ftimulus  to  BriiTot  to 
-continue  his  fubjecl:.  He  therefore,  in  two  years 
afterwards,  publimes  his  Phikfophical  Library  of  the 
Criminal  Laws.  This  work  is  now  ten  volumes.  Brif- 
fot's  view  in  this  work  was,  to  diffufe  and  explain 
thofe  grand  principles  of  freedom  which  produced 
the  revolution  in  England  in  the  year  1688,  and  the 
revolution  in  America  in  the  year  1775.  Before  the 
diflblution  of  the  monarchy  in  France,  thofe  princi 
ples  were  almoft  unknown  to  the  French,  and  arc 
iTill .almoft  unknown  to  the  other  parts  of  Europe. 
But  as  feveral  of  the  monarchs  of 'Europe  approved 
of  the  American  revolution,  it  may  be  prefumed 
tbat  their  fubjecls  will  not  long  continue  ignorant  of 
the  motives  and  grounds  of  a  meafure  which  was 
honoured  with  the  patronage  of  their  fovereigns. 
This  circurrftance  alone  mould  convince  the  Eng- 
lffli,that  many  of  the  powers  of  Europe  behold  with 
pleafure  the  diminution  of  their  greatnefs  and  con- 
iequence,  and  that  very  few  of  thofe  powers  are  ever 
friendly  to  them,  except  during  the  time  they  are 
receiving  a  bribe,  by  virtue  of  an  inftrument,  com 
monly  called  afubjidiary  treaty. 

Of  Dr.  Price  of  London  he  was  an  admirer;  but 
of  Dr.  Prieftley  he  was  alfo  an  imitator,  for  he  amufed 
himfelf  frequently  with  chymiftry,  phyfic?,  anato 
my,  and  religion.  On  the  laft  fiibjecl  there  is  a  pre- 
iumption  that  he  wrote  but  little;  for  in  his  Letter  /« 
theArchbtJhopofSens-}j.\\z  only  traift  on  religion,  by  him, 
that  has  come  to  the  Editor's  knowledge)  he  fays, 
"  That  religious  tyranny  had  been  proftrated  by  the 
"  blows  of  Voltaire,  RoufTeau,  D'AIembert,  and 
"  D'Iderot."  His  mind  was  capacious,  and  his  com- 
prehenfion  extenfive.  In  his  zeal  to  become  an  imi 
tator  of  Prieftley,  he  published  a  volume  Concerning 
Truth,  or  Thoughts  on  the  Means  of  attaining  Truth,  m 
all  the  branches  of  Human  Knowledge.  Here  was  a  wide 
field  for  the  difplay  of  BriObt's  talents  and  induftry. 
b  His 


XIV  SKETCH  OF  THE  L1FK 

His  defign  was  to  have  carried  on  the  work  to  fcve- 
ral  volumes,  and  to  have  invited  the  communica 
tions  of  the  literati  of  all  Europe,  in  all  the  different 
fciencei,  and,  it  may  be  iAfa&, /peculations.  But  there 
was  firch  a  freedom  of  fentimcnt  manifefted  in  the 
firfl  volume,  that  both  the  author  and  printer  were 
alarmed  with  the  terrors  of  the  Baftile.  Filled  with 
thefe  apprehenfions,  he  left  Paris,  and  went  to  Neuf- 
chatel.  There  he  printed  his  profpe6lus,  and  he 
caufed  it  to  be  alfo  printed  in  London.  But  when 
thefe  copies  were  attempted  to  be  circulated  in 
France,  they  were  feized.  Not  a  fingle  number 
was  permitted  to  be  feen  in  any  bookfeller's  fliop  in 
France. 

Finding  the  execution  of  his  project  thus  rendered 
impracticable,  he  left  Neufchatel,  and  went  to  Lon 
don;  where,  in  order  to  give  currency  to  his  free 
opinions,  he  altered  the  title  of  his  book.  He  pro- 
pofed  topublifh  the  remaining  part  periodically,  un 
der  the  name  of  A  Defcription  of  the  Sciences  and  Arts 
in  England;  great  part  of  which  was  intended  to  be 
devoted  to  an  examination  of,  and  to  obfervations 
on,  the  Englifh  conflitution.  His  friends  folicited 
the  French  miniftry  to  permit  this  work  to  be  re 
printed  at  Paris.  At  firft  they  obtained  this  favour ; 
and  the  work  went  on  as  far  as  twelve  numbers,  or 
two  volumes;  after  which  it  was  prohibited,  not 
more  to  the  author's  mortification  than  to  the  injury 
of  his  pocket.  M.  de  Vergennes,  who  was  at  that 
time  miniiter  of  France,  had  fo  ftrong  a  diilike  to 
every  thing  that  was  Englifh,  that  he  would  not  en.- 
dure  the  fmalleft  commendation  upon  any  part  of 
the  Englifli  conftitution,  or  commerce,  to  be  pro 
mulgated  in  France.  He  had  begun  to  difcover, 
that  the  favourite  idea  of  his  matter,  of  feparating 
the  Britifh  colonies  from  the  Britim  empire,  might 
lead  to  an  inveftigationof  the  principles  of  govern 
ment 


CJ   J.   P.  B2.I53GT.  Xr 

e,  and  prove  extrerr  .  to  a 

£% 

Ever 

. 

- 

:• 

I 
feve. 

., 

. 

:of 


XVI  SKETCH  OF  THE  LIFE 

the  French  monarchy  there  were  more  intrigues  al 
ways  going  on  in  the  French  court  than  in  any  court 
in  Europe.  At  this  time  (the  year  1787)  the  court 
was  full  of  intrigues — libidinous  as  well  as  political; 
for  though  the  King  had  no  miftreffes,  the  Queea 
had  her  favourites  and  her  party.  Neckar  was  di£ 
miffed,  and  Calonne  was  appointed  by  her  influence. 
Montmorin  fucceeded  Vergennes,  and  the  Duke  of 
Orleans  was  at  the  head  of  the  party  that  fought  the 
overthrow  of  the  new  miniftry.  When  Calonne 
aflembled  the  Notables  at  Verfailles,  Briflot  publifh* 
cd  a  pamphlet  entitled  No  Bankruptcy ;  or  Letters  to  a 
Creditor  of  the  State  concerning  the  ImpoJJlb'dity  of  a  Na 
tional  Bankruptcy,  and  the  Means  of  reftonng  Credit  and 
Peace.  This  pamphlet,  which  contained  many  fe- 
vere  obfervations  on  Calonne's  meafures  and  plans, 
and  fome  arguments  infupport  of  certain  privileges 
claimed  by  the  people,  the  Duke  of  Orleans  was 
highly  pleafed  with.  He  made  inquiry  after  the 
author,  for  the  tract  was  anonymous,  and  having 
difcovered  him,  he  ordered  his  chancellor  to  provide 
a  (Ituation  for  him.  He  was  made  fecre<ary- general 
of  the  Duke's  chancery.  This  did  not  fave  him 
from  minifterial  refentment.  A  letter  de  cachet  was 
tnrufe  out  a  gain  ft  him;  but  having  notice  of  it,  lie 
infhntly  eicaped  to  the  Netherlands.  He  was  for 
feveral  months  editor  of  the  Courie r  Bel% ique,  printed 
at  Mechlin.  It  was  during  this  voluntary  exile  that 
he  formed  his  project  of  vifiting  America.  He  com 
municated  his  defign  to  the  Philanthropic  Society  of 
the  Friends  of  the  Negroes  at  Paris,  and  was  b^r 
them  affiRed  and  recommended  to  feveral  perfons  in 
America.  The  produce  of  this  vifit  to  America 
was  the  firft  volume  of  this  work,  written  upon  his 
return  to  France.  The  French  miniftry  being 
changed  before  he  left  Europe,  he  embarked  at  Havre 
de  Grace  in  the  month  of  June,  1788. 

Intelligence   having  reached  him  in  America  of 

the 


OF  J.  P.  BRISSOT. 

the  rapid  progrefs  liberty  was  making  in  France,  he 
returned  to  his  native  country  in  1789,  in  a  confi 
dence  that  his  labours  might  become  ufeful  to  the 
general  intereft. 

His  firft  publication  after  his  return  (except  the 
preceding  volume  of  his  travels  in  America)  was,  A 
Plan,  of  Cmduftfor  the  Deputies  of  the  People.  . 

His  knowledge  and  admiration  of  America  natu 
rally  produced  a  friendihip  with  the  Marquis  de  la 
Fayette,  who  introduced  him  into  the  club  of  the 
Jacobins. 

We  fhall  pafs  by  the  feveral  fteps  and  meafures 
of  the  revolution;  for  to  give  an  account  of  all  Brif- 
fot's  concern  therein,  would  be  to  write  a  large  vo 
lume  upon  that  event  only,  But  the  mention  of  a 
few  circumftances  which  are  attached  to  Brifibt  pe 
culiarly,  is  indifpenfible. 

By  the.intereft,  or  rather  influence,  of  Fayette,  he 
was  made  a  member  of  the  Commune  of  Paris.  He 
was  agent  of  the  Police,  and  a  member  of  the  Com 
mittee  of  Inflection  at  Paris;  and  afterwards  a  re- 
prefentative  for  the  department  of  Eure  and  Loire. 

He  commenced  a  new  (paper,  which  he  called 
Pah  iote  Franfais ;  in  which  he  conftantly  defended 
•L  he  conduct -.of  la  Fayette.  He  attached  himfelf  to 
the  party  called  GirondifcD. 

To  the  Englifh  reader  this  name  may  require 
fome  explanation.  The  warm  and  moft  violent 
of  the  National  Convention,  having  gained  ths 
confidence  and  fupport  of  the  city  of  Paris  by 
various  arts,  but  principally  by  declaring,  upon 
everv  opportunity,  that  Paris  mufc  conftantly  be- the 
place  in  which  the  National  Reprefentation  miifc. 
hold  their  deliberations;  to  balance  again  ft  this 
power  of  Paris,  Condorcet,  Petion,  Vergniaux,  Brii- 
for,  Ifnard,  and  others,  all  members  of  the  Conven 
tion,  endeavoured  to  gain  the  commercial  cities  in 
their  intereft.  Bourdeaux  was  the  principal  of  thofe 
b  3  cities 


SKETCH  OF  THE   LIFE 

cities  which  joined  them;  it  is  fituated  on  the  river 
Garonne,  locally  pronounced  Gironde,  which  being 
the  center  of  a  department,  named  from  the  river, 
the  appellation  of  Girondifls  was  given  to  the  whole 
party. 

The  whole  was  a  druggie  for  power:  there  was 
no  other  object  whatever.  It  is  a  foolifh,  and  an  idle 
alfertion,  in  thofe  who  fay,  that  Brifibt  and  the  party 
had  engaged  in  a  plot  to  reftore  the  monarchy  of 
France.  Whatever  their  opinions  might  have  been 
infome  of  the  early  ftages  of  the  revolution,  perhaps 
fromanapprehenfion  that  the  people  of  France  might 
hefitate  at  an  abrupt  proportion  of  a  republican  go 
vernment,  they  were  unqueftionably  innocent  of 
the  charge  at  the  time  it  was  made.  Here  follow, 
however,  the  documents  as  publifhed  by  authority, 
in  justification  of  the  execution,  which,  likje  all  other 
itate  papers,  in  every  country,  confift  of  the  beft 
apology,  or  mofl  colourable  pretence,  for  a  thing 
that  has  been  done  by  order  of  government. 

Report  agalnft  Briffot^  and  the  other  arrefted  Deputies ; 
made  Qftober  3,   1793. 

The  Citizens  of  Paris,  being  informed  that  Amar 
was  to  prefent  his  report  from  the  Committee  ofGe- 
neral  Safety  this  day,  filled  the  galleries  at  a  very 
early  hour. 

As  foon  as  he  appeared  at  the  bar,  the  applaufes 
were  fo  loud  and  continued,  that  he  was  unable  to 
begin  for  more  than  a  quarter  of  an  hour. 

At  length,  amidft  the  moft  profound  filence,  he 
read  his  report. 

He  began  by  fisting,  that,  before  he  proceeded  to 
the  report  which  had  been  expelled  with  fuch  im 
patience,  and  would  amply  recompenfe  the  unavoid 
able  delay  that  had  prevented  a  more  fpeedy  gratifi 
cation  of  the  -wifhes  of  the  peoplej  Us  was  com- 

manded 


OF    J.  P.  BRISSOT.  X£K 

manded  by  the  Committee  of  General  Safety  to  re- 
queft  that  none  of  the  members  of  the  Convention 
fhould  be  allowed  to  go  out  till  the  decree  of  accu- 
iation  had  been  adopted.  This  requeft  was  imme 
diately  complied  with,  and  a  decree  being  parted, 
the  Prefident  gave  orders  to  the  Commander  of  the 
National  Guards  to  allow  no  members  to  go  beyond 
the  bar. 

Amar  then  affirmed  that  the  gigantic  arm  of  trea.- 
fon  had  been  uplifted  to  ftrike  the  reprefentative 
majefty  of  the  people,  and  to  level  with  the  groun^ 
the  unity  and  indivifibility  of  the  French  Republic. — 
The  arm  of  treafon  had  been  nerved  and  iupported 
by  the  united  energies  of  Briflbt,  Condorcet,  Gaudet, 
Vergniaud,  and  the  other  Deputies. 

BrifTot,  the  leader  of  this  traitorous  band,  com 
menced  his  political  career  by  being  a  Member  of 
the  Commune  of  Paris,  to  which  he  was  introduced 
by  La  Fayetter  to  whofe  defigns  he  had  profrituted 
his  pen.  At  this  aera  of  his  life  he  made  his  ap 
pearance  three  times  in  the  Jacobin  Club.  In  the 
firft  vifit  he  propofed  thofe  meafures  which  have 
proved  fo  difailrous  to  the  Colonies  ;  in  the  fecoml, 
he  attempted  to  produce  the  afTaffination  of  the  peo 
ple  in  the  Champ  de  Marsj.  and  in  the  third  vifit  he 
moved  the  declaration  of  war  againft  Great-Britain. 

Introduced  into  the  Legiflative  AfTembly,  he  im<- 
mediately  entered  into  a  coalition  with  Condorcet 
and  the  Girondine  faction,  whofe  defigns  he  approvr- 
cd  and  fupported.  The  confummation  of  the  ob 
ject  of  this  coalition  was  to  have  been  produced  by 
the  fin-render  of  trie  Republican  body  to  the  viola- 
tion  of  the  Allied  Powers,  and  by  the  deftrudlion  of 
that  unity  and  indivifibility  which  can  alone  be  ex 
pected  to  combat  with  effect  the  tyrants  who  would 
undermine  the  proud  pillar  of  Liberty,  and  deftroy 
even  the  veftigs  of.  freedom  from  the  face  of  the 
earth. 

The 


XX  SKETCH   OF  THE  LIFE 

The  Court  made  ufe  of  their  influence  to  declare 
war  at  a  moment  when  the  armies  and  the  fortified 
places  were  in  aftate  of  abfolute  want,orentrufted  to 
traitors  chofen  by  a  perjured  King.  They  protected 
Narbonne,  the  minifter,  whom  all  France  accufed  of 
the  meafures  taken  to  render  this  war  fatal  to  liber 
ty;  and  in  their  Journals  they  calumniated  the  Pa 
triots  who  had  the  courage  to  refift  them.  They  de 
fended  Dietrifch,  convicted  of  being  an  accomplice 
with  La  Fayette,  and  of  having  offered  to  give  up 
Stralbourg;  and  while  the  chiefs  of  that  faction  pro 
tected  the  confpirators  and  traitorous  Generals,  the 
patriotic  foldiers  were  profcribed,  and  the  volunteers 
of  Paris  Cent  to  be  butchered. 

During  the  time  we  were  furrounded  by  the  fa- 
tcllites  of  defpots,  when  the  court  was  going,  to 
open  the  gates  of  France  to  them,  after  having  cauf- 
-i  the  intrepid  defenders  of  liberty  to  be  murdered 
at  Paris,  BrilTot  and  his  accomplices  did  all  they 
could  to  counteract  the  generous  efforts  of  the  peo 
ple,  and  to  fave  the  tyrant.  During  and  after  the 
unhappy  infurrection  of  the  loth  of  Augufh  they 
en.deavcured  to  prevent  the  abdication  of  Louis  XVI. 
and  to  preferve  to  him  the  crown. 

In  the  night  of  the  loth  of  An  grift,  Petion,  ftiut 
up  in  the  Thuilleries,  confulted  with  the  fatellites  of 
'tyrants  the  plan  to  mafiacre  the  people,  and  gave  or 
ders  to  Mandat,  Commander  of  the  National  Guards, 
to  let  thr  people  come  in,  and  then  to  cannonade 
them  in  the  rear,  A  few  days  before,  Genfonne 
and  Vergniaud  engaged  to  defend  Louis  XVI.  on 
condition  that  the  three  minifters,  Roland,  Claviere, 
and  Servan  were  recalled. 

Petion  and  La  Source  made  ufe  of  all  their  means 
to  fend  the  federates  from  Paris.  Briflbt,  Kerfaint, 
and  Rouyer,  according  to  the  letters  found  in  the 
Thuilleries,  gave  bad  advice  to  the  tyrant,  and,  in 
defiance  of  the  laws,  they  dared  to  luiicit  places  in 

the- 


or  j.  p.  B.RISSOT.  xxi 

the  miniflry,  under  a  promife  to  extend  the  deftruc- 
tive  authorities  of  the  defpot. 

The  project  to  overturn  the  foundation  of  the 
Republic,  and  to  murder  the  friends  of  Liberty, 
was  put  in  practice  in  the  Legiflative  Aflembly,  by 
Britfot,  in  his  infidious  harangue  on  the  2oth  of  July> 
1792,  oppofing the  abdication  of  the  throne.  We 
have  feen  BrifTot  and  his  accomplices  Republicans 
under  Monarchy,  and  Royalifts  under  the  Repub 
lic;  always  co-nftant  in  their  deli-gns  to  ruin  the 
French  nation,  and  to  abandon  it  to  its  enemies. 
At  the  time  the  hypocritical  tyrant,  Louis  the  XVL 
came  into  the  Aflembly  to  accufe  the  people,  vvhofe 
maflacre  he  had  prepared, — Vergniaud,  like  a  true 
accomplice  of  the  tyrant,  told  him — "  That  the  Af~ 
fembly  held  it  to  be  one  of  their  mod  facred  duties 
to  maintain  ail  conitituted  authorities,  and  confe- 
quently  that  of  Royalty." 

When  the  Attorney-general,  Raderer,  came  to 
announce,  with  the  accent  of  grief,  that  the  citi 
zens  in  infurreftion  had  taken  the  refolution  not  to 
feparate  till  the  AfTembly  had  pronounced  the  for 
feiture  of  the  Crown,  Prefident  Vergniaud  filenced 
the  applaufes  from  the  gallaries  by  telling  them,  that 
they  violated  the  laws  in  ebftrudYmg  the  freedom  of 
opinion;  and  he  told  Raderer,  that  the  AflTembly 
was  going  to  take  into  immediate  confideration  the 
propofal  which  he,  Vergniaud,  had  made,  fhewing 
the  neceffity  of  preferving  the  exigence  of  the  King. 

Kerfaint  feconded  the  motion.  Geradet  propofed' 
to  liberate  Mandat,  who  was  arrefted  for  having 
given  orders  to  fire  on  the.  people;  or,  in  the  event 
that  that  commander  was  no  more,  to  feud  a  depu^- 
ta:ion  of  twelve  Girondift  members,  authorifed  to 
choofe  hisfucceflor,  in  order  by  this  means  to  keep  the 
public  force  at  the  difpofition  of  that  mifchievous 
faction. 

In  that  memorable  fitting  of  the  roth  of  Auguil^ 

.  the 


XXli  SKETCH   OF  THE   LIFE 

•the  Girondift  chiefs,  Vergniaud,  Guadet,  and  Gen- 
fonne,  took  by  turns  the  chair,  and  went  to  the 
galleries  to  flacken  the  energy  of  the  people,  and  to 
lave  Royalty,  under  the  fliicld  of  the  pretended  con- 
flitution.  They  fpoke  of  nothing  but  obedience 
to  the  conftitutional  laws  to  thofe  citizens  that  came 
to  the  bar  to  protect  their  newly  acquired  liberty. 

When  the  municipality  crime  to  invite  the  Ailem- 
bly  to  fend  the  frcces-verba!  of  the  great  operations  of 
the  loth  of  Auguft,  in  order  to  prevent  the  calum 
nies  of  the  enemies  of  liberty.  Guadet  interrupted 
the  members  who  made  that  demand,  by  making  a. 
motion  to  recommend  anew  to  the  magistrates  the 
execution  of  the  laws. — He  blamed  the  Council  of 
the  Commune  for  having  confined  Petion  in  his  own 
houfe;  though  they  did  it  in  order  to  render  it  im- 
poffible  for  that  impoflor  to  make,  even  infurrectioir 
iubfervient  to  act  againft  liberty. 

When  a  deputation  from  the  fubnrb  St.  Antoine 
Came  to  announce  the  civic  afniction  of  the  widows 
and  children  maflacred  on  that  day,  the  perfidious 
Guadet  cooly  anfwered  them,  "  That  the  Aflembiy 
hoped  to  reilore  public  tranquillity  and  the  reign  of 
the  laws." 

Vergniaud,  in  the  name  of  the  extraordinary  com- 
miffion  directed  by  that  faction,  propofed  the  fuf- 
penfion  of  the  King,  who  had  been  dethroned  by  the 
people,  as  a  (imple  confervatory  act  of  royalty;  and 
i'eemed  greatly  affected  at  the  events  which  had  faved 
the  country,  and  operated  the  ruin  of  the  tyrants. 
He  oppofed  Choudieu's  motion,  tending  to  exclude 
from  the  Convention  the  members  of  both  the  Le- 
gillative  and  Conftituent  AlTemblies;  and  with  the 
fame  cunning  he  prevented  the  regifters  of  the  civil 
lift  from  being  depofited  on  the  table. 

Gaudet  vviilied  to  have  a  governor  named  to  the 
fon  of  the  lute  King,  whom  he  called  the  Prince 
!R.oyal,  Erifibt  and  his  accomplices  always  affected 

to 


OF  J.  If.  BHISSOT.  XXlll 

to  invoke  the  literal  execution  of  the  ConfHtution, 
while  the  people,  in  the  name  of  the  martyrs  who 
fell  before  the  caftle  of  the  Thuilleries,  demanded, 
the  complete  overthrow  of  the  tyrant. 

Vergniaud  oppofed  this  demand,  faying,  that  the 
people  of  Paris  v/ere  but  a  fection  of  the  empire, 
and  affecled  to  oppofe  it  in  this  manner  to  the  de 
partments. — He  likewife  refifted  the  petition  made 
by  the  Commons  to  put  the  tyrant  under  arreft.  He 
ufed  all  his  efforts  with  Briflot,  Petion,  and  Manuel, 
to  get  Louis  XVI.  confined  in  the  Luxembourg, 
from  whence  it  would  have  been  eafier  for  him  to 
efcape  than  out  of  the  tower  of  the  temple, 

Genfonne  and  Gaudet  had  the  fervility  to  publifii, 
at  different  times,  that  Louis  XVI.  had  commanded 
theSwifs  not  to  fire  upon  the  people.  From  that  time, 
the  leaders  of  the  Girondifts  (Department  of  Bour- 
deaux),  compelled  to  praife  the  events  of  the  loth 
of  Auguft,  continued,  notwithstanding,  to  under 
mine  the  Republic.  They  publifhed  the  fevereft 
fatires  againfl  the  Jacobins,  againft  the  Commons 
and  people  of  Paris,  and  in  general  againft  all  thofe 
who  contributed  to  the  deftruftion  of  monarchy. 
Roland's  houfe  was  filled  with  packets  of  libels, 
which  were  to  be  difiributed  among  the  people,  and 
fent  into  the  departments. 

Tiiefe  guilty  men  protected  all  the  confpirators, 
favoured  the  progrefs  of  Brunfvvick  with  all  their 
power,  and  were  the  agents  of  the  Englilh  faction 
which  has  exerted  fo  fatal  an  influence  during  the 
courfe  of  our  revolution.  Carra  was  in  league  with 
certain  characters  of  the  court  of  Berlin.  In  his 
Journal  Politique  of  the  25th  of  Augufl,  1/91,  he 
formed  a  wifli,  on  account  of  the  marriage  of  the 
Duke  of  York  with  thePrincefs  of  Pruffia,  "  that  the 
Puke  might  become  Grand  Duke  of  Belgium,  with 
all  the  powers  of  the  King  of  the  French."  While 
Brunfwick  was  preparing  to  decide  the  fate  of  the 

French 


SKETCH  OF  THE  LIFE 

French  nation  by  the  force  of  arms,  Carra,  in  the 
fame  Journal,  reprefented  him  as  a  great  commander, 
the  greateft  politician,  the  moft  amiable  Prince  in 
Europe,  formed  to  be  the  reftorer  of  liberty  in  all 
nations. — He  publifhed,  that  this  Duke,  on  his  arri 
val  at  Paris,  would  go  to  the  Jacobins,  and  put  on 
the  red  cap,  in  order  to  intereft  the  people  in  favour 
of  this  fatellite  of  tyrants.  Finally,  Carra  was  fo 
audacious  as  to  propofe  openly  to  the  Jacobins,  for 
the  Duke  of  York  to  be  King  of  the  French. 

From  thefe  and  many  other  fa£ls,  too  tedious  to 
mention,  there  refults,  that  Carra  and  his  afibciates 
were  iniquitous  and  deep  diffemblers,  pensioned  by 
England,  Prulfia,  and  Holland,  to  enable  a  Prince 
of  that  family  which  rules  over  thofe  countries  to 
obtain  the  crown  of  France  This  fame  Carra,  to 
gether  with  Sillery,  the  difhonoured. confidant  of  a 
contemptible  Prince,  was  fent  by  the  then  reigning 
faclion  to  Dumourier,  to  complete  that  treafon  which 
faved  the  almoft  ruined  army  of  the  Pmflian  defpot. 
Dumourier  came  fuddenly  to  Paris  to  concert  with 
Briflbt,  Petio.n,  Guadet,  Genfonne,  and  Carra,  the 
perfidious  expedition  into  the  Auftrian  Netherlands, 
vi'hich  he  undertook  when  the  Pruflian  army,  waft 
ing  away  by  contagious  diforders,  was  peaceably  re 
tiring — while  the  French  army  was  burning  with 
indignation  at  the  inaction  in  which  they  were  kept. 

It  was  not  the  fault  of  this  faction,  if  the  motion 
often  made  by  Carra  to  receive  Brunfwick  at  Paris, 
was  not  realized.  He  meditated,  in  the  beginning 
of  September,  1/92,  to  deliver  up  this  city,  with 
out  means  of  defence,  by  flying  beyond  the  river' 
Loire,  with  the  Legiflative  Aflembly,  with  the  Exe 
cutive  .Council,  and  with  the  captive  King.  He  was 
fupported  in  it  by  Roland,  Claviere,  and  le  Brun, 
the  creatures  and  inilruments  of  Briflbt  and  his  ac 
complices. 

But  thefe  perfidious  minifters,  having  been  threat 
ened 


©F  J.  P.  BRISSOT.  XXV 

s-ned  by  one  of  their  colleagues  to  be  denounced  to 
the  people,  it  was  then  that  Carra  and  Sillery  were 
Tent  to  Dumourier,  to  authorize  this  General  to  ne- 
gociate  with  Frederick  William,  to  enable  this  Prince 
xo  get  out  of  the  kingdom,  on  condition  that  he 
ihouid  leave  the  Netherlands  without  the  fufficient 
means  of  defence,  and  deliver  them  up  to  the  nume- 
TOUS  and  triumphant  armies  of  France. 

The  calumnious  harangues  that  were  made  in  the 
Tribunes  were  prepared  or  fanctioned  at  Roland's, 
or  in  the  meetings  that  were  held  at  Valaze's  and  Pe- 
tion's.  They  propofed  to  furround  the  Convention, 
with  a  pretorian  guard,  under  the  name  of  Depart 
mental  Force,  which  was  to  be  the  bafis  of  their 
fcederal  fyftem.  In  the  Legiilative  Aflembly  they 
meditated  a. flight  beyond  the  Loire,  with  the  AfTem- 
bly,  the  Executive  Council,  the  Royal  Family,  and 
the  public  treafure.  Kerfaint,  at  his  return  from  Se 
dan,  dared  to  propofe  this  project  to  the  Executive 
Council;  and  it  was  fupported  by  Roland,  Claviere, 
and  le  Brun,  the  creatures  and  inftrnments  of  BrifTbt. 

The  faction  flrove  to  put  off  the  judgment  of  the 
tyrant  by  impeding  the  difcuffion.  They  appointed 
a  commiffion  of  twenty-four  members  to  examine 
the  pap.ers  found  in  the  Thuilleres,  in  the  guilt  of 
which  fome  of  thefe  members  were  implicated;  and 
they  endeavoured,  in  concert  with  Roland,  to  con 
ceal  thofe  which  tended  to  difcover  their  tranfaction 
with  the  court.  They  voted  for  the  appeal  to  the 
people,  which  would  have  been  a  germ  for  civil  war, 
and  afterwards  wanted  a  refpite  to  the  judgment. 

They  inceflantly  repeated,  that  the  Convention 
could  do  no  good,  and  that  it  was  not  free.  Thefe 
-declamations  mifled  the  departments,  and  induced 
them  to  form  a  coalition  which  was  near  being  fatal 
to  France. 

They  patronized  an  incivic  peace,  entitled,  U*mi 
dts  Loix. 

c  Oil 


XXVI  SKETCH   OF  THE  LIFE 

On  the  1 4th  of  January,  Barbaroux  and  his  friends 
Jiad  given  orders  to  the  battalion  of  Marfeillois  to 
furround  the  Convention. 

On  the  2oth,  Validi  wrote  to  the  other  deputies, 
"  To-morrow  in  arms  to  the  Convention — he  is  a 
coward  who  does  not  appear  there." 

BrifTot,  after  the  condemnation  of  Louis  Capet, 
c.enfured  the  Convention,  and  threatened  France 
with  the  vengeance  of  the  European  Kings.  When 
it  was  his  object  to  bring  on  war,  he  fpoke  in  an  op- 
pofite  fenfe,  and  treated  the  downfal  of  all  'thrones, 
and  the  conqueft  of  the  univerfe,  as  the  fport  of  the 
French  nation.  Being  the  organ  of  the  Diplomatic 
Committee,  compofed  almoft  entirely  of  the  fame 
faction,  he  propofed  war  fuddenly  againft  England, 
Holland,  and  all  the  powers  that  had  not  then  de 
clared  themfelves. 

This  faction  acted  in  coalition  with  perfidious 
Generals,  particularly  with  Dumourier.  Genfonne 
held  a  daily  correfpondence  with  him:  Petion  was 
his  friend.  He  avowed  himfelf  ^he  Counfellor  of 
•the  Orleans  party,  and  had  connection  with  Sillery 
and  his  wife. 

After  the  revolt  of  Dumourier,  Vergniaud,  Gua- 
det,  BrifTot,  and  Genfonne,  wiflied  to  jtittify  his 
conduct  to  the  Committee  of  General  Defence,  af- 
ferting  that  the  denunciations  made  againft  him  by 
the  Jacobins  and  the  Mountain  were  the  caufe  of  his 
conduct;  and  that  Dumourier  was  the  protector  of 
the  found  part  of  the  Convention.  This  was  the 
party  of  which  Petion,  BruTot,  Vergniaud,  &-c.  were* 
the  chiefs  and  the  orators. 

When  Dumourier'vvas  declared  a  traitor  by  the 
Convention,  Briflbt,  in  the  Patriots  Frar$cifc,  as  well 
as  other  writers,  who  were  his  ac.c.oni}.-i ices,  praifed 
him,  in  defiance  of  the  law.  As  members  of  the 
Committee  of  Genern.l  Defence,  they  ought  to  have 
given  information  relative  to  the  preparations  that 

were 


OF  j,  P.  BRISSO I1.-  xxvii 

t>vere  making  in  La  Vendee.  The  Convention, 
however,  was  not  made  acquainted  with  them  till 
the  war  became  ferious. 

Thjy  urmed  the  Sections  where  Ariftocracy  reign 
ed,  agai'nft  thofe  where  public  fpirit  was  triumphant. 

They  affected  to  believe  that  a  plot  was  meditated 
by  the 'Republicans  againft  the  National  Conven 
tion,  for  the  purpofe  of  naming  the  commiffion  of 
twelve,  who,  in  an  arbitrary  manner,  imprifoned 
the  magiftrates  of  the  people,  and  made  war  againft 
the  patriots.-  . 

Ifnard  developed  the  views  of  the  confpiracy, 
when  he  ufed  this  atrocious  expreflion:  "  The  afto- 
niflisd  traveller  will  feek  on  xvhat  banks  of  the  Seine 
Paris  once  flood."  The  Convention  diflblved  the 
commiffion,  which,  however,  refumed  its  functions 
on  its  own  authority,  and  continued  to  aft. 

The  faction,  by  the  addreffes  which  it  fent  to  the 
departments,  armed  them  againft  Paris  and  the  Con 
vention.  The  death  of  numbers  of  patriots  in  the 
fouthern  departments,  and  particularly  at  Marfeilles, 
where  they  perimed  on  the  fcafFold,  was  the  confc- 
quence  of  thofe  fatal  divilions  in  the  Convention, 
of  which  they  were  the  authors. — The  defection 
of  Marfeilles  foon  produced  that  of  Lyons.  This 
important  city  became  the  central  point  of  the  coun 
ter-revolution  in  the  South.  The  republican  muni 
cipality  was  difperfed  by  the  rebels,  and  good  citi 
zens  were  maflacred. — Every  punifhment  that  cruel 
ty  could  devife  to  increafe  the  torments  of  death  was 
put  in  execution.  The  administrative  bodies  were 
leagued  partly  with  Lyons,  and  partly  with  foreign 
Ariilocrats^  and  with  the  Emigrants  difperfed  through 
the  Swifs  Cantons. 

The  cabinet  of  London  afforded  life  and  energy 
to  this  rebellious  league.  Its  pretext  was  the  anar 
chy  that  reigned  at  Paris-r-its  leaders,  the  traitorous 
deputies  of  the  Convention. 

c  2  Whilft 


XXVlii  SKETCH    OF  THE  LIFE 

Whilft  they  inade  this  powerful  diverfion  in  fa 
vour  of  the  tyrants  united  againft  us,  La  Vendee 
continued  to  drink  the  blood  of  the  patriots. 

Carra  and  Duchatel  were  fent  to  this  department 
in  quality  of  Deputies  from  the  National  Conven 
tion. 

Carra  publicly  exhorted  the  adminiflrators  of  the 
Maine  and  Loire  to  fend  troops  againft  Paris.  Both 
thefe  deputies  were  at  the  fame  time  connected  with 
the  Generals  of  the  combined  armies. 

Couftard,  fent  alfo  as  a  commiilioner,  carried  his 
treafonable  projects  to  fuch  a  length,  as  even  to  fur- 
nilh  fupplies  of  provifions  and  ftores  to  the  rebels. 
The  miffion  of  the  agents  of  this  faction,  fent  to 
different  parts  of  the  republic,  was  marked  by  fingu- 
lar  traitorous  meafures. 

Perhaps  the  column  of  republican  power  would 
ere  this  have  meafured  its  length  upon  the  ground, 
if  the  confpirators  had  preferred  much  longer  their 
inordinate  power.  On  the  loth  of  Auguft,  the  foun 
dation  of  the  column  was  laid;  on  the  gift  of  May 
it  was  preferred  from  detraction.  The  accufed 
publifhed  a  thoufand  feditious  addreffes,  a  thoufand 
counter-revolutionary  libels,  fuch  as  that  sddreifcd 
by  Condorcet  to  the  department  of  the  Aifne.  They 
are  the  diigraceful  monuments  of.  the  treafon  by 
•which  they  hoped  to  involve  France  in  ruin. 

Ducos  and  Fonfrede  formed  the  flame  of  the  rebel- 
iion,  by  their  correfpondencc  and  their  fpeeches,  in 
which  they  celebrated  the  virtues  of  the  confpirators'c 

Several  of  thefe  confpirators  fled,  and  dirperfed 
themfeives  through  the  departments — They  eftabliih- 
ed  there  a  kind  of  National  Convention,  and  invert 
ed  the  acimiiilftration  with  independent  powers — 
they  encircled  themfeives  with  guards  and  cannon, 
pillaged  the  public  treafuries,  intercepted  provilions 
that  were  on  the  road  to  Paris,  and  fent  them  to  the 
revolted  inhabitants  of  the  former  provinces  of  BrJ> 

tanny. 


OF  J.  P.  BRISSOT. 

tanny.  They  levied  a  new  army,  and  gave  Wimp- 
fen,  degraded  by  his  attachment  to  tyranny,  the 
command  ot  this  army. 

They  attempted  to'effecT:  a  junction  with  the  re 
bels  of  la  Vendee,  and  to  furrender  to  the  enemy  the 
provinces  of  Britanny  and  Normandy. 

They  deputed  afiaffins  to  Paris,  to  murder  the 
members  of  the  Convention,  and  particularly  Marat, 
whole  definition  they  had  folemnly  fworn  to  ac- 
complifk.  They  put  a  poignard  into  the  hands  of  a 
woman  who  was  recommended  to  Duperret  by  Bar- 
baroax  and  his  accomplices.  She  was  conveyed  into 
the  gallery  of  the  Convention* by  Fanchet. — The 
enemies  of- France  exalted  her  as  a  heroine.  Petion 
pronounced  her  apotheofis  at  Caen,  and  threw  over 
the  blood-ftained  form  of  aflaffination  the  fnowy 
robe  of  virtue. 

Girey  Dupre,  the  colleague  cf  Briilbr,  in  the  pub 
lication  of  the  Patriots  Fraufais,  printed  at  Caen  le- 
veral  fongs,  which  invited,  in  a  forinai  manner,  the 
citizens  of  Caen  to  arm  themfelvea  with  poignard.* , 
for  the  purpofe-  of  ftabbing  three  deputies  of  i:;c 
Convention,  who  were  pointed  out  by  name. 

BrilTot  fled  with  a  lie  added  to  his  other  crimes. 
Had  he  gone  to  Switzerland,  as  the  falfe  pnflpor': 
ftated,  it  would  have  been  for  the  purpofe  of  excit 
ing  a  new  enemy  againft  France. 

Rabaud  St.  Etierre,  Rebccqui,  Duprat,  and  An- 
tiboul,  carried  the  torch  of  fedition  into  the  depart 
ment  of  le  Card  and  the  neighbouring  departments, 
Biroteau,  Rouger,  and  Roland,  projected  their  ter 
rible  plots  in  Lyono,  where  they  poured  the  ample 
ftream  of  patriotic  blood,  by  attaching  to  the  friends 
of  their  country  the  appellation  of  anarchifts  and 
monopolizers. 

At  Toulon  thefe  endeavours  were  fuccefsful,  am! 

Toulon  is  now  in  the  hands  of  the  Englifh.     The 

fame  lot  was  refervccl  for  Bourdeaux  and  Marfeilles. 

c  3,  The 


XXX 


SKETCH  OF  THE   LIFE 


The  reigning  faction  had  made  fome  overtures  to 
Lord  Hood,  vvhofe  fleet  they  expected.  The  entire 
execution  of  the  confpiracy  in  the  South  waited  only 
for  the  junction  of  the  Marfeillefe  and  Lyonefe, 
Avhich  was  prevented  by  the  victory  gained  by  the 
Republican  army  which  produced  the  reduction  of 
Marfeilles. 

The  meafures  of  the  confpirators  were  exactly 
fimilar  to  thofe  of  the  enemies  of  France,  and  par 
ticularly  of  the  Englifli. — Their  writings  differed  in 
nothing  from  thofe  of  the  Englifli  minifters,  and  li 
bellers  in  the  pay  of  the  Englifh  minifters. 

The  DEPUTIES. 
Attempted  to  do  the  fame. 

The  deputies  procured  the 
affjfiinati  on  of  Marat  and  Le 
Pellecier. 

The  deputies  did  all  in  their 
power  to  produce  this  effedl. 

The  deputies  obtained  a  de 
claration  of  war  againft  all  na 
tions. 

Carra  and  BrifTot  entered 
inta  a  panegyric  of  the  Dukes 
of  York  and  Brunfwick,  and 
even  went  fo  far  as  to  propofe 
them  for  Kings. 

The  deputies  have  produced 
the  ceftrucYion  of  the  colonies-. 

Briflbt,  Petion,  Guadet, 
Genfonne,  Vergniaud,  Ducos, 
and  Fonfrede,  directed  the 
meafures  relative  to  the  colo 
nies,  which  meafures  reduced 
them  to  the  mofl  lamentable 
fituation. 

Santbonax  and  Polverel,  the  guilty  Comrniffioners 
who  ravaged  the  colonies  with  fire  and  fword,  are 
their  accomplices.  Proofs  of  their  corruption  exift 
in  the  correfpondeace  of  Raimond.  their  creature. 

Of 


Mr.  PITT. 

V/ifhed  to  degrade  and  to 
difiblve  the  Conventien. 

He  wiflied  to  affailinate  the 
members  of  the  Convention. 

He  wiflied  to  deftroy  Paris. 

He  wifhed  to  arm  all  na 
tions  againft  France. 

In  this  intended  partition  of 
France,  Mr.  Pitt  wifhed  to 
procure  a  part  for  the  Duke  of 
York,  or  fome  other  branch 
of  his  matter's  family. 

He  endeavoured  to  deftroy 
•w  colonies* 


OF  J.  P.  BRISSOT.  XX.Sl 

Of  the  numerous  facts  of  which  the  faction  are 
accufed,  ibme  relate  only  to  particular  individuals: 
the  general  confpiracy,  however,  is  attached  to  all. 

Upon  this  aft  of  accuiation  they  were  tried  before 
the  Revolutionary  Tribunal,  on  the  3oth  day  of 
October,  1793.  When  the  a6t  of  accufation  was 
read  to  them  in  the  court,  they  refufed  to  make  any 
aiil'wer  to  it,  unlefs  Robefpie:'re,  Darrere,  and  other 
members  of  the  Committee  of  Safety,  were  prefent, 
and  interrogated:  they  infifted  upon  thofe  members 
being  fent  for;  which  being  refufed,  and  they  ftill 
refusing  to  make  any  anfwer,  the  Judge  ftated  to  the 
Jury,  that  from  the  act  of  accuiation  it  refulted  that, 

I.  There  exilted  a  confpiracy  againfc  the  unity 
and  indiviiibility  of  t-he  Republic,  the  liberty  ai^tl 
fafety  of  the  French  people. 

II.  That  all  the  individuals  denounced  in  the  act 
of  accufation  are  guilty  of  this  confpiracy,  as  being 
either  the  authors  of,  or  the  accomplices  in  it. 

The  Jury  of  the  Revolutionary  Tribunal  brought 
in  their  verdict  at  eleven  o'clock  at  night,  on  the 
3Oth  of  October,  againit 

BRISSOT, 

Vergniaud  Sillery 

Genfonne  Fauchet 

Duprat  Duperret 

Valaze  Lafource 

Lehardi  Carra 

Ducos  Beauvais 

Fonfrede  Mainvielle 

Borleau  Antiboul 

Gardien  Vigce,  and 

Duchatel  Lacaze, 

who  were  declared  to  be  the  authors  and  accompli 
ces  of  a  confpiracy  which  had  exifted  againft  the 
unity  and  indivifibility  of  the  Republic,  againil  the 
liberty  and  fecurity  of  the  French  people. 

The 


SKETCH  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  J.  P.  BRISCOT. 

The  Prefident  of  the  Revolutionary  Tribunal  im 
mediately  pronounced  the  fentence  decreed  by  the 
conftitution:  —  That  they  fhould  fuffer  the  puniih- 
ment  of  death — that  their  execution  fhould  take 
place  on  the  fubfequent  day,  on  the  Place  de  Revo 
lution — that  their  property  fhould  be  confifcated,  and 
that  this  fentence  fhould  be  printed  and  polled  up 
throughout  the  whole  extent  of  the  republic. 

As  foon  as  the  fentence  was  pronounced,  Valaze 
pulled  a  dagger  from  his  pocket  and  flabbed  him- 
ielf. — The  Tribunal  immediately  ordered  that  the 
body  fhould  b€  conveyed  on  the  morrow  to  the 
Place  de  la  Revolution^  with  the  other  deputies. 

At  eleven  o'clock  in  the  forenoon,  on  the  31  ft, 
the  execution  took  place.  The  ftreets  were  lined 
with  foldiers,  and  every  precaution  taken  to  prevent 
the  difiurbance  of  the  public  tranquillity. 

Duchatd,  Ducos,  Fonfrede,  and  Lehardi,  pre- 
ferved  a  firm  and  undaunted  air,  and  furveyed  tin; 
engine  of  death  xvith  a  compofed  and  unrufflecl  coun 
tenance. 

The  deportment  of  Briffot  was  manly — he  pre- 
lerved  a  fixed  filence,  and  fu omitted  his  head  to  the 
guillotine,  after  furveying  fiedfaflly,  for  a  few  mo 
ments,  the  Deputies,  to  whom,  however,  he  did  not 
fpeak. 

Sillery  faluted  the  people  with  much  refpecl,  and 
converfed  a  fhort  time  with  his  confeflbr,  as  did 
Fauchet. — Lafource  died  in  a  penitential  manner. ~~ 
Carra,  Vergniaud,  Genfonne,  Duperret,  Gardien, 
Duprat,  Beauvais,  Mainvielle,  Lacaze,  Antiboul, 
and  Vigee,  died  with  firmnefs,  and  with  the  excla 
mation  of  "  Vive  la  Re.publi'jue  " — The  executioji 
was  concluded  in  thirty-feven  minutes. 


CONTENTS, 


CONTENTS. 


I 


NTRODUCTIQN  .       i 

CHAPTER  I. 

Of  External  Commerce;  the  circiimftances 
which  lead  to  it,  and  the  Means  of  alluring 
h  to  a  Nation  .  .  .  .  *  .  .  1 7 

CHAPTER  II. 

Of  External  Commerce,  confidered  in  its 
Means  of  Exchange,  and  its  Balance  .  .  24 

CHAPTER  III. 

Application  of  the  foregoing  general  Principles 
to  the  reciprocal  Commerce  of  France  and 
the  United  States  .  ....  38 

CHAPTER  IV. 

That  the  United  States  are  obliged  by  their  pre- 
fent  Neceffities  and  Circumfumces  to  engage 
in  foreign  Commerce  .  .  .  .46 

CHAPTER  V. 

Of  the  Importation  to  be  made  from  France 
into  the  United  States,  or  of  the  Wants  of 
the  United  States  and  the  Productions  of 
France  which  corrcfpond  thereto  .  .64 

Scftioa 


XXXIV  CONTENTS. 

Pa3e. 

Seflion  I.  W'nes  .  .  .  -  6^' 

Seflion  II.  Brandy 74 

Seflionlll.  Oils,  Olives,  Dry  Fruits,  &c.  79 

£?#/*»  IV.  Cloths So 

SeflionV.  Linens 84 

Seflion  VI.  Silks,  Ribbons,  Silk  Stockings, 

Gold  and  Silver  Lace,  &c.  .  .  .92 

Section  VII.  Hats 96 

&#/»»  VIII.  Leather,  Shoes,  Boots,  Saddles, 

£c .97 

&<ffxM  IX.  Gl&fs  Houfes  .  .  .100 

SeflicnX.  Iron  and  Steel  ....  1031 
Sefzion  XL  Jewellery,  Gold  and  Silverfmiths' 

Articles,  Clock-work,  &c.  .  .  109 

Seflion  XII  Different  Sorts  of  Paper,  ftained 

Paper,  &c.  .  .  .  .112, 

Seftion  XIII.  Printing  ,  ,  .  .115 
SeffionXIV.  Salt  .  .  .  117 

Seflun  XV.  General  Confiderations  on  the 

Catalogue  of  French  Importations  into  the 

United  States         .  . '   118 

CHAPTER    VI. 

Of  the  articles  which  Independent  America 
may  furnifh  in  return  for  Importations  from 
France  .  .  .  .  .  .120 

MonfieurCslonne's  Letter  to  Mr.  Jefferfon,  the 
American  Minifter  at  Paris  .  .  .  ibid 

EXPORTS  OF  AMERICA           ....   125 
Seflion  I.  Tobacco              ....  ibid 
Settion  II.  Fifaeries,  Whale-oil,  &c.  Sperma 
ceti  Candles  128 

Sfflion  III.  Corn,  Flour,  &c.  .          .135 

Seflicn  IV.  Mafts,  Yards,  and  other  Timber 

for  the  Navy         .         .         .          .          .   139 
SeflicnV.  Skins  and  Furs  .          ,         .141 

Sefliott 


CONTENTS.  XXXV 

Page. 

Seflion  VI.  Rice,  Indigo,  Flax-feed  >    .         .   143 

Stfiicn  VII.  Naval  Stores,  fueh  as  Pitch, 
Tar,  and  Turpentine  .  .  .  147 

Seftion  VIII.  Timber  and  Wood,  for  Car 
penters  and  Coopers  Work ;  fuch  as  Staves, 
Cafks-heads,  Planks,  Boards,  &c.  .  .148 

Seflion  IX.  VeiTels  conftru&ed  in  America, 
to  be  fold  or  freighted  .  .  .  .  150 

Setfion  X.  GeneralCpnfHerations  on  the  pre 
ceding  Catalogue  of  Importations  from  the 
United  States  into  France  .  ,  .  156 

CONCLUSION,  and  Reflections  on  the  Situation 

of  the  United  States        ....  -163 

APPENDIX;  confiding  of  authentic  Papers,  and 

Illuflrations,  added  by  the  Editor  .  -171 

Return  of  the  Population  of  the  United  States  173 

Ditto  of  the  Territory  South  of  tiie  Ohio      .   174 

Dr.  Franklins  Qbfervations  on  the  Popula 
tion  of  America  .  .  .  .  .176 

Captain  Hutchins's  Account  of  the  Weftern 
Territory  .  .  .  .  .  .178 

Thoughts  on  the  Duration  of  the  American 
Commonwealth  .....  206 

,Mc.  Jefferfon's  State  of  the  Commercial  In- 
•tercourfe  between  the  United  States  and 
Foreign  .Nations  .....  209 

principal  Articles  of  Exportation  during  the 
Year  1792  .  .  .  .  .  225 

Of  the  Civil  Lift  and  Revenue  of  the  United 
States  ......  226 

Mr.  Paine's  Statement  of  the  Expences  of  the 
American  government  ...  .  227 


INTRODUCTION, 


INTRODUCTION, 

Br  J.  P.  BRISSQT  DE  WARVILLE, 


TH, 


Court  of  Great-Britain  had  no  fooncr  figned 
the  Treaty  acknowledging  the  Independence  of  her 
late  Colonies  in  North  America,  than  her  merchants., 
and  political  writers  fought  the  means  of  rendering, 
to  her  by  commerce  an  equivalent  for  her  lofTes  by 
the  war. 

Lord  Sheffield  has  predicted,  in  his  Obfervations 
on  the  Commerce  of  America, "  that  England  would 
always  be  the  florehoufe  of  the  United  States;  that 
the  Americans,  conft.antly  attracted  by  the  excel 
lence  of  her  manufactures,  the  long  experienced  in>- 
tegrity  of  her  merchants,  and  the  length  of  credit,, 
which  they  only  can  give,  would  foon  forget  the 
wounds  which  the  minifterial  defpotifm  of  London,, 
as  well  as  the  ferocity  o£  the  Englifh  and  German 
'Satellites,  had  given  to  America,  to  form  with  it  new 
aind  durable  connexions."* 

This  politician  was  the  only  one  who  appeared  in 
that  career;  others  followed  it  [Dr.  Price,  &c.]: 
and  the  debates,  which-the  new  regulations  of  com 
merce  propofed  for  America,  produced  in  Parlia 
ment,  prove  that  the  matter  was  known,  difcufled, 
and  profoundly  examined. 

B  The 

*  Thefe  are  not  Lord  Sheffield's  worJs.  They  are  M.  Brif- 
fot'sj  and  contain  HIS  cle.foription  of  Lord  Sheffield's  SVPPOSEO- 
fentimcnts,  from  a  peuial  of  that  Nobleman's  Q,bfeivatii>aso«.- 
tf-Js  Commerce! of  America, 


1  INTRODUCTION. 

The  Englifh  nation  refembled  at  that  time  a  man 
who,  coming  out  of  a  long  delirium  (\vhereinhehaci 
broken  every  thing  that  he  ought  to  have  held  mod 
dear,)  eagerly  ftrives  to  repair  tltc  ravages  of  his  in- 
fanity. 

As  for  us,  we  have  triumphed,  and  the  honour  of 
the  triumph  is  almofl  the  only  benefit  we  have  reap 
ed.  Tranquil  under  the  fhacle  of  our  laurels,  we  fee 
with  indifference  the  relations  of  commerce  which 
nature  has  created  between  us  and  the  United  States; 
— whilft,  to  ufe  the  language  of  vulgar  policy,  the 
Englifh,  of  whom  we  are  jealous  as  our  rivals,  whom 
\ve  fear  as  our  enemies,  ufe  the  greateft  efforts  to 
make  it  impofiible  for  us  to  form  new  connexions 
with  our  new  friends. 

That  the  Englifh. will  fucceed,  there  is  no  doubt, 
if  our  languor  be  not  foon  replaced  by  activity  ;  if 
the  greateft  and  moft  generous  faculties,  on  our  part, 
do  not  frnooth  this  commerce,  new,  and  confequent- 
ly  eafy  to  be  facilitated:  finally,  if  our  ignorance  of 
the  ftate  of  America  be  not  fpeedily  diffipatedby  the 
conftant  fludy  of  her  refources  of  territory,  com 
merce,  finance,  &c.  snd  affinities  they  may  have 
with  thofe  of  their  own. 

Our  ignorance!  This  word  will  undoubtedly 
fliock, — for  we  have  the  pride  of  an  ancient  people: 
We  think  we  know  every  thing, — have  cxhaulted 
every  thing: — Yes,  we  have  exhaufted  every  thing; 
but  in  what?  In  futile  fciences,  in  frivolous  arts, 
in  modes,  in  luxury,  in  the  art  of  p leafing  women, 
and  the  relaxation  of  morals.  We  make  elegant 
courfes  of  chymiftry,  charming  experiments,  deli 
cious  verfes,  ftrangecsat  home,  little  informed  of  any 
thing  abroad:  this  is  what  we  are;  that  is,  we  know 
every  thing  except  that  ivliich  is  proper  for  us  to  know.* 

It 

*  This  atfertion  will  perhaps  appear  fevere  and  faife,  even  ro 
perfons  who  think  that  we  exec!  in  phyfics  anJ  the  exacl  fci- 
enccs.  But  in  granting  this,  is  it  thefe  kinds  of  fcitnces  to 


INTRODUCTION.  3 

It  would  be  opening  a  vaft  field  to  fhew  what  is 
proper  for  us  to  know,  therefore  I  will  not  under 
take  it.  I  confine  myfelf  to  a  {ingle  point:  I  fay- 
that  it  concerns  us  eflentially  to  have  a  thorough 
knowledge  of  the  ftate- of  America,  and  that,  never- 
thelefs,  we  have  fcarcely  begun  the  alphabet  which 
leads  to  it.  What  I  advance  has  been  faid  before  by 
Mr.  Paine,  a  free  American,  and  who  has  not  a  lit 
tle  contributed,  by  his  patriotic  writings,  to  fpread, 
fupport,  and  exalt,  among  his  fellow  countrymen, 
the  enthufiafm  of  liberty,  I  will  remark,  fays  he,  in 
his  judicious  letter  to  the  Abbe  Raynal,  that  I  have 
not yst  fesn  a  defer iption,  given  in* 'Europe,  of  America , 
cf  which  the  fidelity  can  be  relied  on. 

In  France,  I  fay  it  with  forrow,  the  fcience  of 
commerce  is  almoft  unknown,  becaufe  its  practice 
has  long  been  difhonoured  by  prejudice;  which  pre 
vents  the  gentry  fronvthinking  of  it.  This  preju 
dice,  which  is  improperly  thought  indeftru&ible, 
becaufe  the  nobility  are  improperly  thought  one  of 
the  neceflary  elements  of  a  monarchical  conftitution ; 
this  would  alone  be  capable  of  preventing  French 
commerce  from  having  activity,  energy,  and  digni 
ty,  were  it  not  to  be  hoped,  that  found  philofophy, 
in  deibroying.it  infenfibly,  'would bring  men  to  the  great 
idea  of  ejlimating  individuals  by  their  talents,  and  not 
by  their  birth:  without  this  idea  there  can  be  no 
great  national  commerce,  but  ariftocratical  men  will 
abound;  that  is,  men  incapable  of  conceiving  any- 
elevated  view;  and  men  contemptible,  not  in  a  ftate 
to  produce  them. 

B  2  Finally, 

which  a  man  who  reflects  ought  at  firfr  to  give  himfelf  up? 
D->es  not  the  ftudy  of  his  locial  and  civil  ftate  more  nearly  con 
cern  him  ?  Ought  not  this  to  intereft  him  more  than  the  num 
ber  of  ftars,  or  the  order  of  chymical  affinities  ?— It  is,  how 
ever,  the  fcience  of  which  we  think  ihe  leaft.  We  are  pa/Tion- 
ately  fond  cf  poetry  :  we  difpute  Tericufly  about  muficj  that 
is,  we  have  a  great  tonfideration  for  playthings,  and  make  a 
plaything  of  our  affairs. 


Finally,  another  prejudice,  quite  as  abfuroVwhic'h 
has  been  combated  a  thoufand  times,  and  is  always 
:predominant  in  France,  withholds  from  the  eyes  of 
•the  public  precious  memoirs,  and  interefting  difcuf- 
£ons,  which  would  inform  France  of  her  interefts. 

Who  is  ignorant  that  it  is  to  the  freedom  of  de- 
"bate  and  public  diicuflion  that  England  owes  the  fm- 
gular  profperity  which,  till  lately,  has  followed  her 
«very  where,  in  commerce,  in  arts,  in  manufactures-,. 
&s  well  abroad  as  at  home?  a  prosperity  which  file 
•may  enjoy  in  fpitc  of  the  faults  of  her  minifters;  for 
"none  but  thefe  have  ever  endangered  it:  and  it  is  to 
the  freedom  of  debate  that  fhc  has  often  owed  her 
falvation  from  ruin.  Who  doubts  that  this  liberty 
"would  not  produce  the  fame  happy  effects  in  France; 
— that  it  would  not  deftroy  falfe  appearances; — that 
it  would  not  prevent  the  deftrucYive  enterprizes  of 
perfonal  intereft; — that  it  would  not  alarm  mif- 
chievous  indulgence,  or  the  coalirion  of  people  in 
place  with  the  enemies  of  the  public  welfare?  Go 
vernment  feems  at  prefent  'to  do  homage  to  this  in 
fluence  of  the  freedom  of  difcuffion.  At  length,  it 
appears  to  relax  of  its  fcverity  in  the  laws  of  the  preis  $ 
it  has  fuffered  fome  (hackles,  which  reftrained  dif- 
cuffion,  to  be  broken,  efpeeially  in  political  matters. 
But  how  far  are  we  ftill  from  feeling  the  happy  ef 
fects  of  the  liberty  of  the  prefs,  rather  granted  to  pub 
lic  opinion,  than  encouraged  by  a  real  love  of  truth  ! 

By  what  fatality  are  energetic  uifcourfes  of  truth 
ineffectual?  This  ought  to  be  pointed  out;  govern 
ment  itielf  invites  us  to  do  it;  the  abufes  which  ren 
tier  information  ufeleis  in  France,  ought  to  be  laid 
open. 

It  is  becanfe  the  liberty  of  thinking  and  writing 
on  political  matters  is  but  of  recent  date. 

Eecaufe  the  liberty  of  the  prefs  is  environed  with 
many  difgufting  circumftances;  and  that  an  honeft 
man  who  diitiains  libels,  but  loves  fran-knef^  is  dri~ 


INTRODUCTION.  5 

ven  from  the  prefs  by  all  thofe  humiliating  formali 
ties  which  fubject  the  fruit  of  his  meditation  and  re- 
fearches  to  a  cenfure  neceflarily  arifing  from  igno 
rance. 

It  is  becaufe  the  cenfor,  inftituted  to  check  the 
elevation  of  a  generous  liberty,  thinks  to  flatter  au 
thority,  by  even  exceeding  the  end  propofed;  fup~ 
prefles  truths,  which  would  frequently  have  been  re 
ceived,  for  fear  of  letting  too  bold  ones  efcape,  whh 
which  he  would  have  been  reproached ;  multiplies 
objections,  gives  birth  to  fears,  magnifies  dangers, 
and  thus  difcourages  the  man  of  probity,  who  would 
have  enlightened  his  fellow  citizens;  w hi  1ft  this  cen 
for  fan&ions  fcandalous  productions,  wherein  reafon 
is  ficrificed  to  farcafms,  andfevcre  morality  to  ami 
able  vices. * 

It  Is  becaufe  there  are  but  few  writers  virtuous 
enough,  fufficiently  organized,  or  in  proper  fituations 
'to  combat  and  furmount  thefe  obftacles. 

Becaufe  thefe  writers,  few  in  number,  have  but 
little  influence;  abufes  weakly  attacked  and  itrongly 
defended,  refift  every  thing  which  is  oppofed  to  them. 

Becaufe  the  neceflity  of  getting  works  printed  in 
foreign  prefles,  renders  the  publication  difficult;  but 
few  of  them  efcape  from  the  hands  of  greedy  hawk 
ers,  who  monopolize  the  fale,to  fell  at  a  dearer  price; 
who  poft  the  rhyftery,  and  a  falfe  rarity,  to  fell  dear 
:for  a  longer  time. 

tBecaufe  thefe  books  are  wanting  in  the  moment 
B  3  when 

*  We  may  put  in  the  rank  of  thefe  produ£V:ons  which  dif- 
honour  the  cenforlhip,  the  comedy  of  Figaro,  a  fcand  jlous  farce, 
•A'hciein,  under  the  appearance  of  defending  morality,  it  is  turn 
ed  into  ridicule  ;  and  wherein  great  truths  are  difparaged  by  the 
contemptible  dialogift  who  prefents  them;  wherein  the  end 
feems  to  have  been  to  parody'  the  greateft  writers  of  the  age, 
in  giving  their  language  to  a  rafcally  valet,  and  to  encourage 
oppreffion,  in  bringing  the  people  to  laugh  at  their  degradation, 
and  to  applaud  themfelvcs  for  this  mad  laughter:  finally,  ia 
giving,  by  culpable  impofhire,  to  the  whole  nation,  that  cha- 
r  after  of  negligence  an3  levity  which  belorrgs  only  to  her  capital. 


6  INTRODUCTION. 

when  they  would  excite  a  happy  fermentation,  and 
direct  it  properly,  in  giving  true  principles. 

Becaufe  they  fall  but  fucceffively  into  the  hands 
of  well-informed  men,  who  are  but  few  in  number, 
in  the  fearch  of  new  truths. 

Becaufe  the  Journalifb,  who  ought  to  render  them 
a  public  homage,  are  obliged,  through  fear,  to  keep 
filence. 

Becaufe  the  general  mafs,  abandoned  to  the  tor 
rent  of  frivolous  literature,  lofes  the  pleafure  of  me 
ditation,  and  with  it  the  love  of  profound  truths. 

Finally,  becaufe  truth  is  by  this  fatal  concurrence 
of  circumftances never  fown  in  a  favourable  foil, nor 
in  a  proper  manner;  that  it  is  often  flified  in  its  birth; 
and  if  it  furvives  all  adverfe  manoeuvres,  it  gathers 
ftrength  but  flowly,  and  with  difficulty ;  confequent- 
]y  its  effects  are  too  circumfcribed  for  inftruction  to 
become  popular  and  national. 

Let  government  remove  all  thefe  obflacles:  let  it 
have  the  courage,  or  rather  the  found  policy,  to  ren 
der  to  the  prefs  its  liberty;  and  good  works, fuch  as 
are  really  ufeful,  will  have  more  fnccefs;  from 
which  there  will  refult  much  benefit. 

Does  it  wifh  for  an  example?  I  will  quote  one, 
which  is  recent  and  well  known:  the  law-fuit  of  the 
monopolizing  merchants  againft  the  colonifh  of  the 
fugar  iflands.  Would  not  the  laft  have,  according 
to  cuftom,  been  crufhed,  if  the  difpute  had  been 
carried  on  in  obfcurity?  They  had  the  liberty  of 
ipeech,  of  writing,  and  of  printing;  the  public  voice 
was  raifed  in  their  favour,  truth  was  triumphant; 
and  the  wife  minifter,  who  had  permitted  a  public 
difcuffion,  that  he  might  gain  information,  pro 
nounced  for  humanity  in  pronouncing  in  their  fa 
vour. 

Let  us  hope  that  this  example  will  be  followed; 
that  government  will  more  and  more  perceive  the 
immenfe  advantages  which  refult  from  the  liberty  of 

the 


INTRODUCTION.  ? 

the  prefs.  There  is  one  which,  above  all  others, 
ought  to  induce  it  to  accelerate  this  liberty,  becaufe 
it  nearly  regards  the  intereft  of  the  prefent  moment  j 
this  liberty  is  a  powerful  means  to  eftabiifti,  fortify, 
and  maintain  public  credit,  which  is  become,  more 
than  ever,,  neceflary  to  great  nations,  fince  they  have 
flood  in  need  of  loans.  As  long  as  the  attempts  of 
perfonal  intereft  are  feared  by  the  obfcurity  which 
covers  them,  public  credit  is  never  firmly  eftablifh- 
ed,  nor  does  it  rife  to  its  true  height.  It  is  no  longer 
calculated  upon  the  intrinfic  ftrength  of  its  refources, 
but  upon  the  probability,  upon  the  fear  of  the  dif- 
order,  which  may  either  divert  them  from  their  real 
employ,  or  render  them  fterile.  The  liberty  of  the 
prefs  keeps  perfonal  intereft  too  much  in  awe  not  to 
fetter  its  meafures;  and  then  public  credit  fupports 
kfelf  if  it  be  eftabliflied,  is  formed  if  it  be  ftill  to  be 
constituted,  and  fortifies  itfelf  if  it  has  been  weaken 
ed  by  error. 

Full  of  thefe  ideas,  as  well  as  the  love  of  my  coun 
try,  and  furmounting  the  obftacles  to  the  liberty  of 
printing,  I  have  undertaken  to  throw  fome  light- 
upon  our  commercial  affinities  with  the  United 
States.  This  object  is  of  the  greateft  importance ;- 
the  queftion  is,  to  develope  the  immenfe  advantages 
which  France  may  reap  from  the  revolution  which 
flie  has  fo  powerfully  favoured,  and  to  indicate  the 
means  of  extending  and  confolidating  them. 

It  appears  to  me  that  all  the  importance  of  this  re 
volution  has  not  been  perceived;  that  it  has  not  been 
fufficiently  conlidered  by  men  of  underftandirig. 
Let  it,  therefore,  be  permitted  me  to  confider  it  at 
prefent. 

I  will  not  go  into  a  detail  of  the  advantages  which 
the  United  States  muft  reap  from  the  revolution, 
which  allures  them  liberty.  I  will  not  fpeak  of  that 
regeneration  of  the  phyfical  and  moral  man,  which 
muft  be  an  infallible  confequence  of  their  conftitu- 


INTRODUCTION. 

tions;  of  that  perfection  to  which  free  America,  left 
to  its  energy,  without  other  bounds  but  its  own  fa 
culties,  muft  one  day  carry  the  arts  and  fciences. 
America  enjoys  already  the  right  of  free  debate,  and 
"it  cannot  be  too  often  repeated,  that  without  this  de 
bate,  perfection  is  but  a  mere  chimera.  In  truth, 
slmoft  every  thing  is  yet  to  be  done  in  the  United 
States,  but  almoft  every  thing  is  there  underftood: 
the  general  good  is  the  common  end  of  every  indi 
vidual, — this  end  cherilhed,  implanted,  fo  to  fpeak, 
by  the  conftitution  in  every  heart.  With  this  end, 
this  intelligence,  and  this  liberty,  the  greateft  mira 
cles  muft  be  performed. 

I  will  not  fpeak  of  the  advantages  which  all  Ame 
rica  muft  one  day  reap  from  this  revolution;  nor  of 
the  impoffibility  that  abfurd  defpotifrn  fhould  reign 
'for  a  long  time  in  the  neighbourhood  of  liberty.— 
I'will  confine  myfelf  to  the  examination  of  what 
advantages  Europe,  and  France  in  particular,  may 
draw  from  this  change.  There  are  two  which  are 
particularly  ftriking:  the  firft,  and  greateft  of  the 
revolution,  at  leaft  in  the  eyes  of  philofophy,  is  that 
of  Us  falutary  influence  on  human  knowledge,  and 
on  the  reform  of  local  prejudices;  for  this  war  has 
occationed  difcuffions  important  to  public  hnppi- 
tiefs,— the  di  feu  (lion  of  the  focial  compact,— of 
civil  liberty ,: — of  the  means  which  can  render  a  peo 
ple  independent,  of  the  circumftances  which  give 
fanction  to  its  infurrection,  and  make  it  legal, — and 
which  give  this  people  a  place  among  the  powers  of 
the  earth. 

What  good  has  not  refulted  from  the  repeated  de- 
fcription  of  the  Englifh  conftitution,  and  of  its  ef 
fects  ?  What  good  has  not  refulted  from  the  codes 
:bf  Ma(Tachufetts  and  New-York,  publifhed  and 
fpread  every  where?  And  what  benefits  will  they 
ttill  produce?  They  will  not  be  wholly  taken  for 
a  model ;  but  defpotifsn  will  pay  a  greater  refpec\, 

either 


't'N  T  R  O  D'XJ  C  T I  O'N .  £ 

neceffity  or  reafon,  to  the  rights  of  men, 
Svhish  are  fo  well  known  and  eftablifhed.  Enlight 
ened  by  this  revolution,  the  governments  of  Europe 
T/iil  be  tnfenfibly  obliged  to  reform  their  abufes,  and 
to  diminifh  thei'r  burdens,  in  the  juft  apprehenfion 
'that  their  fubjecb,  tired  of  bearing  the  weight,  will 
take  refuge  in  the  afylum  offered  to  them  by  the 
United  States. 

This  revolution,  favourable  to  the  people,  which 
is  preparing  in  the  cabinets  of  Europe,  will  be  un- 
•doubtedly  accelerated,  by  that  which  its  commerce 
AV ill  experience,  and  which  we  owe  to  the  enfran- 
"chifement  of  America.  The  war  which  procured  Ft 
:to  her,  has  made  known  the  influence  of  commerce 
on  power,  the  neceffity  of  public  credit,  and  confe- 
•quently  of  public  virtue,  without  which  it  cannot 
•long  fiibfift: — What  raifed  the  Englifti  to  that  height 
of  power,  from  whence,  in  fpite  of  the  faults  of  their 
Minifters,  Generals,  and  Negociators,  they  braved, 
for  fo  many  years,  the  force  of  the  moft  powerful 
nations?  Their  commerce,  and  their  credit;  which-, 
loaded  as  they  were  with  an  enormous  debt,  put 
them  in  a  flate  to  ufe  all  the  efforts  which  nations, 
the  moil  rich  by  their  foil  and  population,  could  not 
have  done  in  a  like  cafe. 

Thefe  are  the  advantages  which  France,  the  world, 
and  humanity,  owe  to  the  American  Revolution ; 
-and  when  we  conficler  them,  and  add  thofe  we  are 
obliged  to  let  remain  in  obfcurity,  we  are  far  from 
'regretting  the  expences  they  occafioned  us. 

Were  any  thing  to  be  regretted,  ought  not  it  tc» 
vanifli  at  the  appearance  of  the  new  and  immenfe 
coromerce  which  this  revolution  opemsto  the  French? 
This  is  the  moft  important  point  at  prefent  for  us,-— - 
-that  on  which  we  have  the  leaft  information,  which 
confequently  makes  it  more  necefiary  to  gain  all  we 
can  upon  the  iubject}  and  fuch  is  the  object  of  this 


2O  INTRODUCTION1. 

In  what  more  favourable  moment  could  it  appear, 
when  every  nation  is  in  a  ferment  to  extend  its  com 
merce,  feeks  new  information  and  fure  principles? 
The  mind  is  incefTantly  recalled  in  this  book  to  the 

nature  of  things,  the  iirft  principle  of  commerce. 

At  a  time  when  people,  which  an  ancient  rivality, 
an  antipathy,  fo  falfdy  and  unhappily  called  natu 
ral,  kept  at  a  diflance  one  from  the  other,  are  in 
clined  to  approach  each  other,  and  to  extinguifhed 
in  the  connexions  of  commerce  the  fire  of  difcord; 
this  work  {hews  that  thefe  rivalities  mull  be  effaced 
by  the  immenfity  of  the  career  which  is  opened  to 
all. — At  a  time  when  all  the  parts  of  univerfal  poli 
cy  are  enlightened  by  the  flambeau  of  philofophy, 
even  in  governments  which  have  hitherto  profefTed 
to  be  afraid  of  it,  the  author  of  this  work  has  let  flip 
no  opportunity  of  attacking  falfe  notions  and  abiifes 
of.  every  kind. 

Never  was  there  a  moment  more  favourable  for 
publishing  ufeful  truths.  Every  nation  does  not 
only  do  homage  to  commerce,  as  to  the  vivifying 
fpirit  of  fociety  ;  but  they  employ,  in  the  examina 
tion  of  all  thefe  connexions  and  a<ftinities,  that  lo 
gic  of  facts,  whofe  ufe  characterizes  the  end  of  the 
prefent  century, — that  art  truly  philofophical,  of 
confidering  objects  in  their  nature,  and  in  their  ne- 
ceflary  confequences: — Never  had  well  informed 
men  more  contempt  for  thofe  chimerical  fy items 
folely  founded  upon  the  fancies  of  pride,  upon  the 
little  conceptions  of  vanity,  and  upon  the  prefumpr 
tion  of  the  falfe  political  fcience,  which  has  too  long 
balanced  the  deftiny  of  Slates.  Never  were  fo  many 
men  feen  united  by  the  fame  defire  of  an  univerfal 
peace,  and  by  the  conviction  of  the  misfortune  and 
inutility  of  hateful  rivalities. '  At  length  it  appears^ 
that  men  perceive  ihat  the  field  of .  induftry  is  infi 
nite;  that  it  is  open  to  every  ftate,  whatever  may  be 
its  abfolute  or  relative  pofitions;  that  all  ftates  may 

thrive 


INTRODUCTION.  I£l 

•thrive- in  it,  provided  that  in  each  of  them  the  fup- 
port  of  individual  liberty,  and  the  prefervation  of 
property,  be  the  principal  end  of  legation. 

This  work  ftill  concurs  with  the  patriotic  views 
which  the  fovereign  of  France  rnanifefts  at  prefent: 
he  meditates  important  reformations.  He  directs 
tnem  towards  the  happinefs  of  the  people;  and  con- 
fults  the  moft  refpeclable  members  of  this  people, 
whom  he  wiflies  to  render  happy,  upon  the  means  of 
infuring  the  fuccefs  of  his  good  intentions.  There 
fore,  could  there  be  a.  more  propitious  moment  to 
offer  to  the  prefent  arbitrators  of  the  national  prof- 
perity,  a  work  written  with  deliberation,  on  tli« 
means  of  eflablifhing  a  new  commerce  with  a  new 
people,  who  unites  to  an  extenfive  foil,  and  proper 
to  nouriih  an  immenfe  population,  laws  which  are 
the  moil  favourable  to  its  rapid  increafe? 

At  firft  I  had  alone  undertaken  this  work,  de 
pending  on  my  own  ftrength  and  laborious  refearch- 
es:  I  had  collected  all  the  fads, — all  the  books, — 
all  the  proofs  which  could  be  certain  guides  to  my 
fteps;  but  I  foon  perceived  the  impoflibility  of  raif- 
ing  upon  objects  of  commerce  a  folid  and  ufeful 
theory,  if  it  were  not  directed  by  the.ikill  which 
practice  only  can  give,  and  pofTefled  by  a  man 
.whofe  judgment  had  been  long  exercifed  by  reflec 
tion,  and  whofe  decided  love  of  truth  and  the  public 
welfare  had  accuftomed  to  generalize  his  ideas.  I 
found  this  man,  this  co-operator,  of  whofe  affiftance 
I  ftood  in  need,  in  a  republican;  to  whom  I  am 
united  by  a  Similarity  of  ideas,  as  well  as  by  the  moft 
tender  attachment.  I  have  permiffion  to  name  him, 
— he  confents  to  it:  I  have  conquered  his  modefty 
by  the  confederation  of  his  intereft,  and  of  the  latv 
which  the  particular  circumftances  of  his  fituation 
impofes  on  him:!  have  perfuaded  him,  that  the 
beft  means  of  deftroying  calumny  was  to  make 
Jknown  his  principles  and.qpinions  on  public  matters. 

It 


It  is  M.  Claviere,  a  Genevefe,  exiled  without- any 
"form  from  his  country,  by  the  military  ariftocracy'; 
which  has  fubftituted  its  illegel  and  definitive  re- 
eimen  to  the  reafonable  and  legitimate  influence  of 
a  people,  dilVmguifoed  by  their  natural  good  under- 
ftanding,  their  knowledge,  and  their  more  fimple 
manners.  What  was  his  crime?  That  of  having 
defended  the  rights  of  thefe  people,  with  a  firmnefs-- 
and  ability,  which  the  implacable  hatred  of  his  ene 
mies  atteft!  This  part  does  too  much  honour  to 
my  friend,  not  to  confine  myfelf  to  defcribe  him  irt 
this  character,  the  only  one  which  has  ever  been 
productive  of  public  good. 

M.  Claviere  has,  during  his  abode  in  France,, 
given  proofs  of  his  knowledge  in  the  philofophicai, 
and  political  part  of  commerce.  It  is  to  his  abode 
among  us  that  the  public  is  indebted  for  fome  nfeful 
works  on  thefe  abitraot-  mutters  ;.  works,  as  remark- 
able  for  their  folidity  of  principle  and  truth  of  dif- 
cuffion,  as  for  the  clearnefs  and  preci(ion  of  ideas  ; 
works,  \vhofe  fuccefs  proves  that  minds  may  be  led 
to  the  contemplation  of  thefe  matters,  by  fubftituN. 
intf  an  exact  and  clear  analyfis  to  the  metaphyfical 
and  obfcure  jargon  which  retrained  them  from  it. 

Finally,  the  prefent  work  will  prove  at  once  the 
extent  of  his  knowledge,  and  that  of  the  fincere 
philanthropy  which  animates  him,  even  for  the  good 
of  a  country,  where  a  man  lefs  generous  would  fee 
nothing,  perhaps,  but  the  origin  and  caufe  of  his- 
misfortunes.     Oh!   how  happy  am  I,  to  have  it  ia 
my  power  to  defend  my  friend  again  ft  cowardly  ca 
lumniators,  in  putting  him  uncier  the  fafeguard  of 
his  own  talents  and  virtues!      And  is  it  not  a  facred 
duty  for  me,    as  the  calumny  is  public,    to  publiih: 
the  part  he  has  taken  in  this  work,  wherein  it  is  im- 
poffible  not  to  difcover  the  honeft  man,    in  the  mam 
enlightened?  the  friend  of  mankind,  in  the  propa 
gation  of  the  \vifeft  maxims  ?     In  the  thinking  phi-. 


13 

lofcper,  nccuftomed  to  a  fevere  logic,  to  purfue 
the  interefts  of  public  good,  whenever  the  light  of 
truth  can  clear  up  fome  of  its  afpects  ?  This  is  not 
a  vague  eulogium  ;  people  will  be  convinced  of  it 
in  reading  the  two  chapters  which  concern  the  prin 
ciples  of  commerce;  a  great  number  of  notes  in 
which  he  has  had  a  part,  and  efpecially  the  article 
of  tobacco,  which  is  entirely  his  own.  In  general, 
he  will  be  known  in  thofe  new  confiderations  which 
the  commercial  man  of  reflection  only  can  fuggeft 
to  the  philofophical  politician. 

The  fame  motive  has  guided  us  both  in  the  com- 
pofition  and  publication  of  this  work.  It  was  the 
defire  of  being  ufeful  to  France,  to  Free  America, 
to  Humanity  ;  for  nothing  which  pafTes  in  the  United 
States,  neither  ought  to,  nor  can  in  future,  be  in 
different  to  humanity.  America  has  revenged  it  by 
her  revolution :  me  ought  to  enlighten  it  by  her  le- 
giflation,  and  become  a  perpetual  leflbn  to  all  go 
vernments,  as  a  confolation  to  individuals. 

It  remains  to  rne  now  to  fpeak  of  the  fources  to 
which  we  have  had  recourle,  in  the  order  of  this 
work,  &c.  &c. 

We  have  joined  the  information  of  intelligent  per- 
fons,  whofe  abode  in  America  has  given  them  an 
opportunity  of  gaining  information,  to  that  with 
which  the  public  papers,  the  acls  of  Congrefs,  of 
different  legiflatures,  and  the  different  works  pub- 
limed  in  the  United  States,  have  furnimed  us.  There 
fore  credit  may  be  given  to  all  the  fads  which  we 
advance. 

In  alfociating  our  ideas,  we  have  flriven  to  give 
them  an  uniformity:  we  have,  above  every  thing, 
endeavoured  to  exprefs  them  with  that  clearnefs 
which  is  fo  difficult  to  introduce  into  matters  of  com 
merce  and  finance.  The  poverty  of  our  language, 
and  the  fingularity  of  new  circumftances  which  we 
had  to  defcribe,  has  fometrrnes  led  us  to  what  is  callec 
C  neology, 


*4  INTRODUCTION. 

neology.  We  muft  create  what  we  have  not,  ant! 
of  which  we  ftand  in  need,  without  giving  ourfelves 
any  trouble  about  thofe  grammarians,  but  triflingly 
philofophical,  whom  Cicero  describes  thus  in  his 
time :  Ccntroverjies  about  ivords  ferment  thefe  little  Greek /, 
mere  defirous  of  contention  than  of  truth.* 

We  have  carefully  avoided  certain  words  much 
ufed  in  vulgar  politic1?,,  and  which  give  a,nd  perpe 
tuate  falfe  ideas  and  deceitful,  fyfterns.  Such  are 
thefe  expreflions ;  powers  Jill  the,  fir  ft  char  after,  have 
the  fir  ft  rank)  the  balance  of  trade,  ths  political  balance 
of  Europe,  &c.  ,Thefe  words,  which  ftir  .up  hatred 
and  jealoufy,  ,are  only,  proper  to  feed  petulant  am 
bition,  and,  -if  I  may  nfe  the.expreffion,  to  put  the 
policy  of  difturbance\\\  the  place  of. that  happinefs. 
Miniflers,  .wearied  of  thefe  words  and.  ideas,  will  at 
tach  a  greater  price  to  real  glory, — that  of  making 
the  people  happy. 

Many  notes  will  be  found  in  this  work;  we  thought 
it  neceflary  to  give  this  form  to  all  the  ideas,  which, 
thrown  into  the. text,  might  have  obfcured.the  prin 
cipal  one. 

A  note  relaxes  the  mind, 'in  fufpending  the  chain 
of  the  principal  thoughts;  it. excites  curiofity,  in 
announcing  a  new  point  of  view ;  it  forces  the  reader 
to  a  certain  degree  of  attention,  in  obliging  him  to 
attach  the  note  to  the  text,  to  reap  any  advantage 
from  his  reading. 

We  have  in  thefe  notes  indicated,  as  often  as  it 
has  been  poffible,  the  ideas -of  reform  which  may  be 
iifeful  to  France.  We  have  frequently  quoted  thr> 
Englifh  nation  and  government.  .Let  not  our  read 
ers  be  furprifed  at  it.  It  is  this  nation  which  has 
made  mofl  progrefs  in  the  practice  of  fome  good 
principles  of  political  economy.  To  what  nation 
in  Europe  can  we  better  compare  France?  If  a  ri- 

vaiity 

*  Verb)  controverfia  torqnet  Graeculoi  homines  contention's 
cupidiores  quam  veritaus. 


INTRODUCTION.  t  5j 

vality  ought  to  exifl  between  them,  is  it  not  in  that 
which  is  good?  Ought  not  we  from  that  moment 
to  know  all  the  good  meafures  taken  in  England? 
Ought  people  to  be  difpkafed  with  us  for  mentioning 
thefe  meafures?  The  example  of  thofe  who  have 
already  quoted  England  has  encouraged  us.  They 
have  naturalized  in  France,  happy  inftitutions,  imi 
tated  from  her  rival. 

If  our  criticifm  appears  fometimes  roughly  ex- 
prefled,  our  readers  will  be  fo  good  as  to  confider, 
that  friends  to  public  welfare  can  but  with  difficulty 
refrain  from  being  moved  by  the  afpecl  of  certain 
abufes,  and  from  differing  the  fentiment  of  indigna 
tion  which  it  excites  in  them  to  break  forth. 

Notwithstanding  the  numerous  .precautions  we 
have  taken  to  come  at  truth;  notwithstanding  the 
extreme  attention  we  have  given  to  this  work,  error* 
will  undoubtedly  be  found  in  fome  of  the  ftatemenrs, 
and  perhaps  in  the  reafonings.  Whether  they  be 
publicly  difcufTed,  or  that  we  are  privately  inform 
ed  of  them,  we  (hall  fee  thefe  refutations  with  plea- 
fure;  we  (hall  joyfully  receive  thefe  obfervations, 
and  if  they  be  well  founded,  we  (hall  be  eager  to  re-' 
tra&.  This  is  but  a  ample  eflay  on  an  important 
fubjecl.:  It  may  become  &  good  work  by  the  aid  of 
z  concourfe  of  lights. 

PARIS,  April  i,   1787. 


C  2 


THE 


THE 


COMMERCE,  &c. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Of  External  Commerce;  the  circumjlanccs  which  lead  to 
it,  and  the  Means  of  ajfuring  it  to  a  Nation. 


VjOMMERCE  fignifies  an  exchange  of  produc 
tions,  either  by  barter,  er  by  reprefentative  figns  of 
their  value.. 

External  commerce  is  that  carried  on  between  two 
©r  more  nations.  It  fuppofes  in  them  mutual  wants, 
and  a  furplus  of  productions  correspondent  thereto. 

Nations,  which  nature  or  the  force  of  things  in 
vites  to  a'  commercial  intercourfe,  are  thofe  which 
have  that  correfpondence  of  wants,  and  furpkis  of 
productions. 

This  familiarity  enables  them  to  trade  together, 
directly  or  indirectly ;  a  direct  commerce  is  that  which 
exifts  between  two  nations,  without  the  intervention 
of  a  third. 

Commerce  is  indirect  when  one  nation  trades  with 
another  by  way  of  a  third.  This  is  the  cafe  of  dates 
which  have  no  fea-ports,  and  yet  wi.fli  to  exchange 
their  productions  for  thofe  of  the  Indies. 

That  nation,  which  having  it  in  its  power  to  carry 

on  a  direct  commerce  with  another,  yet  makes  ufe 

pf  an  intermediate  one,  is  neceflajrily  obliged  to  di- 

C  vide 


l8  ON  THE  COMMERCE  OF  THE 

Vfdc  its  profits.     However,  this  difad vantage  may 
fometimes  be  compenfated  by  other  confiderations. 

Such,  for  inftance,  is  the  cafe  of  a  nation  which, 
in  want  of  huibandmen  and  manufacturers,  prefers 
that  ftrangers  ihould  themfelves  come  in  fearch  of  its 
fuperfluities,  and  bring  in  exchange  thofe  of  others: 
its  want  of  population  impofes  this  law,  and  whilft 
thefe  considerations  exift,  it  is  both  morally  and  phy- 
fically  better  that  its  inhabitants  fhould  be  employed 
in  cultivation,  than  become  carriers  of  their  own 
national  produftions,  or  of  thofe  of  others. 

It  is  impoffible  that  nations  which  already  have 
communications  with  each  other,  fhould  be  ignorant 
of  their  mutual  productions.  Hence  arifcs  the  defire 
of  acquiring  them  in  thofe  where  they  do  "not  exift. 
Hence  direct  or  indirect  commerce,  which  is  confe- 
qnently  the  inevitable  re'fult  of  the  Hate  of  things. 

From  the  fame  principle,  it  is  the  interefl  of  each 
nation  to  render  its  exterior  commerce  direft  as  foon 
as  pofiible,  without  doing  an  injury  to  its  interior 
trade. 

Direct  importations,  not  being  fubject  to  the  ex- 
pences  and  ccmniifiions  of  agents,  procure  things  at 
a  cheaper  rate. 

A  moderate  price  is  the  fureft  means  of  obtaining 
;»n  exterior  commerce,  the  beft  reafonfor  preference, 
and  the  guarantee  of  its  continuation.* 

The 

"*  It  is  vulgarly  faid  that  a  thing  is  dear  when  once  it  is  above 
the  accuftonied  price  j  and  it  is  eftterned  cheap  the  moment  tnai 
price  is  dhniniiiied. 

By  this  it  feems  that  the  dearnefs  of  a  thing  is  the  compari- 
fon  of  its  fh*ed,  with  its  ufual  price.  The  la  ft  is  determined 
by  five  principal  circumftances.  ift.  The  coit  of  the  raw  rna- 
teral.  ad»  That  of  the  wcrlcmanihip.  3d.  The  want  the  eon- 
fuaser  has  of  the  thing.  4'h.  The  means  he  has  of  paying  lor 
it.  «;th.  The  proportion  of  its  quantity  with  the  demand  there 
is  for' it.  Thefe  circumflrances  i.ncreafe  or  diminifl)  the  profit 
cf  the  fcl'erj  fometimes  indeed  they  may  prevent  him  fr^n  fain- 
ing  at  «1U  Circumftaaccs  which  u.fluence  the  zucft  aie  fcarcity 


UNITED  SPATES  OF   AMERICA.  19 

The  country  which  can  produce  and  fell  a  thing 
at  the  cheapeft  rate,  is  that  which  unites  the  favour- 
abVi  advantages  of  that  production,  whether  it  be 
with  refpect  to  its  quality,  manufacture,  or  its  low 
rate  of  carriage. 

The  advantages  which  render  commodities  and 
raw  materials  cheap,  are  a  fertile  foil,  eafy  of  culti 
vation,  climate  favourable  to  the  production,  a  go 
vernment  which  encourages  induftry,  and  facili 
tates  carriage  by  the  conftruction  of  public  roads  and 
navigable  canals;  finally,  a  population  not  too  nu 
merous  relative  to  the  extent  of  country  which  of 
fers  itfelf  to  be  cultivated.* 

The  fame  circumftances  are  ftill  more  favourable 
to  the  manufacture  of  things  common,  fimple,  or 
little  charged  with  fafhion,  if  the  raw  material  be  a 
natural  production  of  the  country,  in  plenty,  and 
eafy  to  be  worked  up;  becaufe  thefe  manufactures 
require  but  few  hands,  or  are  carried  on  at  that  lei- 

iure 

and  abundance,  expreffions  by  which  the  proportion  between  the 
want  and  the  quantity  of  productions  are  defignated. 

If  there  be  a  furplus  of  them,  they  are  naturally  fold  at  a  low- 
price.  Whence  it  appears,  that  nations  having  great  quantities 
of  raw  materials,  various  manufactures  and  a  numerous  popu 
lation,  are  more  particularly  invited  to  an  exterior  and  continued 
commerce,  becaufe  they  have  it  in  their  power  to  carry  it  on 
upon  better  terms. 

An  article  may  be  fold  at  a  low  price,  and  enrich  him  who 
furnifhes  it}  as  it  may  be  fold  dear,  and  ruin  the  leller.  This 
depends  upon  the  relation  there  is  between  its  value  and  the 
means  of  its  productions.  Every  nation  difpofed  to  exterior 
commerce,  in  whatfoever  article  it  may  be,  ought  therefore  to 
confider  two  things,  the  price  at  which  it  can  afford  fuch  an  ar 
ticle,  and  that  at  which  it  is  fold  by  rival  nations  :  if  it  cannot 
equal  the  laft,  it  ought  to  abandon  that  part  of  its  trade. 

*  The  fituation  of  the  Unite  d  States  proves  the  laft  afTcrtion, 
which  rnay  at  firft  fight  appear  paradoxical;  things  are  cheap 
there,  becaufe  population  is  not  in  proportion  to  the  extent  of 
lands  to  be  cultivated.  In  a  good  foil,  a  man  may,  by  his  la 
bour,  eafily  fupply  the  confuinption  cf  ten  men,  or  even  more. 
Thefe  ten  men  may  therefore  be  employed  for  exterior  confump- 


£O  Otf  THE   COMMERCE  OF  THE 

fure  which  agriculture  affords.  Nothing  can  equal 
the  cheapnefs  of  this  workmanfliip,  and  in  genera! 
no  induftry  is  more  lucrative,  or  better  fupportecton 
eafy  terms,  than  that  which  is  employed  in  the  in 
tervals  of  repofe  from  cultivation :  in  that  cafe  cheap- 
iiefs  is  neither  the  product  nor  the  fign  of  mifery  in 
the  manufacturer;  it  is,  on  the  contrary,  the  proof 
and  confequence  of  his  eafy  circumftances.* 

The  ir.oft  iieceffary  conditions  for  manufacturing, 
at  a  cheap  rate,  articles  complicated,  or  extremely 
fine  and  perfect,  or  which  require  the  union  of  feve- 
ral  kinc's  of  workmanfliip,  are  a  conflant  and  affidu- 
ous  application,  and  a  numerous  population  ;  one 
hair  of  which  mufl  be  at  a  diftance  from  the  labours 
of  the  field,  and  applied  to  manufacture  alone. 

Thefe  manufactures  ought,  according  to  natural 
order,  to  be  the  productions  of  an  excefs  of  popula 
tion  only,  which  cannot  give  its  induftry  to  agricul 
ture  or  fimple  manufactures;  but  in  general  they  are 
the  refult  of  the  gathering  together  of  the  poor  and 
ivretched  in  great  cities. f 

"  Thefe 

*  Switzerland,  and  certain  parts  of  Germany,  offer  a  ftriking 
example  of  this  fadr.  Merchandlfe  is  fabricated  there,  at  a 
lower  rate  than  in  any  other  country  of  Europ",  by  means  of  this 
employment  of  leifure  hours,  and  is  capable  of  being  tranf- 
ported  to  diftant  countries,  without  lofing  its  original  advantage  j 
even  acrofs  great  ftates,  where  nature,  left  to  her  own  energy, 
-would  be  ftill  more  favourable  to  the  fame  manufactures. 

•f-  Thefe  manufactures  are  crouded  with  individuals,  who 
having  no  property,  or  hope  of  conftant  employ  in  the  country, 
or  who  are  induced  by  the  allurements  of  gain  and  luxury,  run 
into  cities,  and  foon  become  obliged  to  fell  their  induftry  at  a 
mean  price,  proportioned  to  the  number  of  thofe  who  are  in 
want  of  employ.  When  cheapnefs  of  v/orkma-.fhipcoj.'.es  from 
this  affiicYmg  concurrence  of  the  want  of  money  in  men  without 
employ,  it  is  not  a  fign  of  profperity»  On  the  contrary,  it  is  the 
rtfult  and  proof  of  a  bad  focial  organisation,  of  too  unequal  a 
division  of  property,  and  confequently  of  an  unjud  distribution 
•of  necefTary  employments,  which  compels  indultry  to  change, 
from  the  fabrication  of  what  is  necftiTary  and  ufeful,  to  that 
wiikb.  is  faaufiic,  forced,  and  pernicious,  Hence  it  ft»Jlowsr 


UNITED  STATES  OF   AMERICA.  2J 

Thefe  ma  an  failures  cannot  furnifli  their  produc 
tions  bur  with  difficulty  and  uncertainty  for  exterior 
commerce,  when  they  are  eftabiifhed  and  fupported 
merely  by  forced  means,  fuch  as  prohibitions,  ex- 
clufive  privileges,  &c.  by  which  natural  obftaclesr 
not  to  be  dcftroyed,  are  pretended  to  be  combated. 
Countries  exempt  from  them  prevail  in  the  end,  and 
obtain  a  preference. 

It  fometimes  happens,  that  obftacles  can  fed  to 
manufactures  by  dearnefs  of  provifions,  burthenfome 
imports,  diftance  from  the  raw  material,  and  un- 
ikilfulnefs,  or  fmall  number  of  hands,  are  furmounted 
by  ingenuity,  or  the  ufe  of  machines;  which  make 
the  work  of  one  man  equal  to  that  of  many,  and 
render  a  manufacture  capable  of  fupporting  the  com 
merce  of  populous  countries,  where  fuch  manoeu 
vres  and  machines  are  not  made  ufe  of,  or  known. 

But  thefe  means  are  precarious,  and  fooner  or  later 
give  way  to  a  more  happy  fituation,  where  climate, 
foil,  and  government  efpecially,  concur  in  favouring, 
without  effort,  all  the  activity  and  induftry  of  which 
men  are  fufceptible.* 

Thus, 

that  wretchednefi  in  any  country  is  In  proportion  to  tkis  cheap- 
nefs  cf  workmanfhip. 

it  equally  evident  from  thefe  reafonings,  that  new  and  well 
ccnftituted  ftates  ought  not  to  defire  manufactures  produced  by 
things  fo  badly  arranged :  they  oughc  not  to  be  anxious  about 
th'.r.i  tili  the  rate  of  population  and  excefs  of  ufeful  labour  na- 
t-j.-iily  incline  induftry  to  apply  itfelf  to  improve  and  carry  them 
or;.  Thefe  reafonings  againft  low  priced  workman/hip  do  not 
hinder  us  from  agreeing, that  there  is  a  real  advantage  in  the  means 
of  exterior  commerce;  and  that  in  the  adtual  llate  of  things 
manufacturing  and  commercial  nations  may  perhaps  be  obliged 
to  feek  for  it,  although  it  does  not  compensate  the  interior  evil 
by  which  it  is  produced. 

*  FAVOURING,  in  political  economy,  fignifies,  for  the  moft 
part,  not  to  /hackle  induftry  with  too  many  regulations  j  how 
ever  favourable  certain  of  thefe  may  be,  they  reftrain  it  in  fome 
refpecl  or  other.  Trade  is  never  better  encouraged  than  wheo 
left  to  itfelf. 


fl£:'  ON  THE  COMMERCE   OF  THE' 

Thus,  in  the  final  analyfis,  the  power  of  furnifh- 
ing  at  a  low  price  belongs  inconteftably  to  cou&trie's 
fo  favoured,  and  they  will  obtain  in  all  markets  a 
fure  preference  t&  thofe  to  which  nature  has  been 
]efs  kind,  let  their  induftry  be  ever To  great,  becauft 
the  fame  induilry  may  always  be  added  to  natural 
advantages. 

Exterior  commerce,  more  than  any  other,  is  in 
timidated  by  fhackles,  cuftoms,  vifirs,  chicaneries, 
and  procefles;  by  the  manner  of  deciding  thenij  and 
the  felicitations  and  delays  they  bring  on.- 

The  ftate  which  would  favour  fuch  a  commerce 
fliould,  in  the  -fir ft  place,  deftroy  all  thefe  obftacies. 
It  is  more  ta  its  mterefl  fo  to  do,  as  from  exterior 
commerce  refults  an  augmentation,  of  the  national 
revenue. 

All  things  equal,  relative  to  the  price  of  merchan- 
d-ile,  and  to  the  facilities  with  which  direct  exterior 
commerce  can  be  carried  on,  it  is  more  readily  cfta- 
blifned  between  two  nations  which  have  afimilsrity 
of  political  and  religious  principles,!  manners,  cuf 
toms,  and  efpecia'ly  of  language :  thefe  decifive 
means  of  connexion  cannot  be  combated  but  by 
evident  advantages  from  which  there  refults  leis  ex- 
pence  and  more  profit.  Commercial  people  gene* 
rally  place  profit  at  the  head  of  every  thing. 

Nations  not  having  thefe  affinities  between  them, 
ought,  in. order  to  compenfate  for  their  deficiency, 
to  .give  great  encouragements,  and  tolerate  to  the 

utmrjft 

-f- •  Religious  confideracions  had  formerly  a  confidernMe  influ 
ence  on  civilized  men,  and  on  commerce.  The.  Catholic  rled 
i'rorn  the  I'roteftant,  the  Puritan  fufpefted  the  (Quaker.  A  re~ 
ciproc.;l  hatred  reigned  between  the  feft?.  To-day,  mankind 
bsin^  more  enlightened,  all  fefts  con.iected  by  commerce,  and 
experience  having  fliewn  that  probity  has  a!  mo  ft  always  b«?n 
independent  of  religion,  it  i?  no  more  req'jir'*d  ro  k;iow  wiie^ 
ther  a  m^n  goes  to  the  temple,  or  to  conferTion-— It  is  aflced  if 
he  fulfi.s  liis  engagements  with  honour.  Yec  tftris  relation  mull 
i\\ll  be  counted  amon^  commercial  connexions. 


UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA,  £3 

utmoft  degree  the  religious  and  political  opinions  of 
ftrangers,  as  well  as  their  manners  and  cuftoms. 

To  obtain  the  preference  in  exterior  commerce, 
neither  treaties,  regulations,  nor  force  muft  be  de 
pended  upon.  Force  has  but  a  momentary  effect. 
It  deftroys  even  that  which  it  means  to  protect. 
Treaties  and  regulations  are  ufelefs  if  the  interefts 
of  two  nations  do  not  invite  them  to  a  mutual  in- 
tercourfe.  They  are  ineffectual  if  that  attraction 
does  not  extft.  Treaties,  regulations,  force,  all  yield 
to  the  impulfe  or  nature  of  things.* 

This  force  of  things  in  commerce  is  but  the  refult 
of  the  circumftances  in  which  two  nations  are  which 
attract  one  towards  the  other,  and  oblige  them  to 
enter  into  an  alliance,  rather  than  with  any  other 
nation.  Thefe  terminate  in  their  mutual  intereft  : 
.it  is  therefore  neceffary,  in  order  to  create  a  perpetual 
commerce  between  two  countries,  to  give  each  of 
•them  a  preponderating  intereft  fo  to  do. 


CHAPTER 


*  FORCE  OF  THINGS.  The  poitical  law  which  governs  all, 
in  politics  as  in  phyfics.  There  is  a  general  force  whofe  action 
is  manifeft,  which,  in  fpite  of  wars,  treaties,  end  the  manoeu 
vres  of  cabinets,  governs  all  everts,  znd  carries  sway  men  and 
nations  in  its  courfe.  It  is  this  force  of  things  which  overturn 
ed  the  Roman  empire,  when  itftocd  upon  a  bafis  difproportioned 
to  its  mate;  which  in  the  I4th  century  took  from  the  ErgliiTi 
one  half  of  France,  and  inthsiSih,  has  taken  from'them  half 
of  the  nevv  world—— which  delivoed  Holland  from  the  yoke  of 
Spain,  an-1  S*\ved?'i  from  that  of  Denmark.  It  is  this  force 
which  deilroyexi  the  proje£is  of  fuch  conquerors  as  Charlemagne, 
'Zengls,  and  Nhdir.  They  ran  from  place  to  place  ;  they  de- 
ftroyed  mankind  to  build  empires.  Thefe  empires  died  with 
them.  This  force  acts  npon  conrnerce  as  upon  revolutions.  It 
is  that  which,  by  the  difcov-ry  of  the  Capf  of  Good  Hope,  be- 
•  reaved  the  Venetians  of  thfir  trade  to; the  Indies,  and  made  it 
p?.fs  0"er  fnoceflively  to  the  Port.Uj»uc.fe,  the  Dutch,  the  Englifh, 
and  the  French.  Finally,  ic  is  the  f>rce  of  things  which  will 
decide  the  gisa*  ,que(Fion  of  the  commerce  of  America. 


ON  THE  COMMERCE  OF  THE 


CHAPTER  II. 

•Of  External  Commerce,  confidered  in  its  Means  of  Ex~ 
change^  and  its  Balance. 


E  are  deceived  in  believing  that  commerce 
cannot  be  eftablifhed  between  two  nations  without 
gold  or  filver  to  balance  their  accounts.  It  will  be 
interefling  to  enter  into.fome  detail  on  this  head,  on 
account  of  the  deficiency  of  coin  in  the  United  States, 
and  the  neceffity  of  reducing  themfelves  to  the  com 
merce  of  exchange,  being  the  two  principal  objec 
tions  ignorantly  brought  againft  a  trade  with  them.'* 
It  has  been  frequently  aflerted  that  the  balance  wilt 
be  againft  them  ;  that  they  can  only  offer  an  exchange 
in  merchandife.  It  is  therefore  neccflary  to  prove 
that  this  great  word,  balance,  is  infigniflcant;  that 

a  great 

*  The  fcarcity  of  money  in  the  United  States  of  America 
has  been  greatly  exaggerated  in  France.  It  muft  be  fcarce  in  all 
new  ftates,  where  nothing  fhackJes  induftry,  where  fo  many 
things  are  to  be  created,  and  wheres  in  every  quarter,  there  are 
iuch  quantities  of  lands  to  be  cleared.  In  order  that  money 
/hould  be  plenty  in  this  ftate  of  creation,  mines  would  be  necel- 
fary  ;  and  'at  the  fame  time  a  want  of  hands,  end  induftry  clogged 
whh  impediments,  ciicumftances  much  more  unfavourable  to 
foreign  commerce  than  the  fcarcity  of  money  in  an  active  and 
induftnous  country.  One  fact  feems  to  prove  to  us,  that  in  in 
dependent  America  money  is  found  in  the  moft  defirable  pro 
portion  to  population,  at  leaft  by  taking  Europe  for  the  term  of 
companion.  Contrails  cfteemed  good,  and  of  which  the  in- 
(ereft  is  regularly  paid,  are  fold  there  at  the  rate  of  fix  percent. 
per  annum.  Yet  the  clearing  of  lands  rmift  produce  a  much 
grf  a'er  benefit  ;  why  ihenisnotall  the  money  (wallowed  up?  why 
remains  there  enough  of  it  to  fulfil  thefe  contracts,  which  pro- 
tluce  no  more  than  five  cr  fix  per  cent  ?  Js  it  not  becaufe  money 
J8  not  fo  fcarce  there  as  people  in  France  imagine,  where  the 
actual  rtate  of  the  Americans  is  confounded  with  the  diRref?  ii» 
which  thry  were  when  they  combated  for  their  liberty  s 


UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA.  25 

a.  great  commerce  may  be  carried  on  without  money, 
and  that  one  of  exchange  is  the  molt  advantageous 
of  any. 

When  a  nation  pays  with  money  the  whole,  or  the 
balance  of  its  importations,  it  is  faid  the  balance  of 
trade  is  againft  it,  by  which  a  difadvantageous  idea 
of  its  pofition  is  meant  to  be  given.  This  is  a  pre 
judice  eafy  to  be  overturned,  although  entertained 
by  men  celebrated  for  their  knowledge. 

In  effect,  whence  comes  to  this  country  the  gold 
it  pays?  It  is  either  from  its  mines,  and  in  that  cafe 
it  pays  with  one  of  its  own  productions;  or  it  owes 
it  to  artificers  who  exercife  their  functions  in  a  fo 
reign  country,  and  even  then  it  pays  with  a  produc 
tion  which  originates  within  its  dominions.  As  long 
as  a  nation  pays  another,  directly  or  indirectly,  with 
its  own  productions,  its  pofition  cannot  be  difad 
vantageous.  Therefore,  the  unfavourable  word  ba 
lance,  thus  attached  to  the  balance  of  an  account 
paid  in  money,  offers  no  exact  and  nice  idea  of  the 
favourable  or  unfavourable  (late  of  a  nation. 

Gold  is  alfo  a  merchandife;  and  it  may  be  con 
venient  to  one  nation,  according  to  its  relations  or 
connexions  with  another,  to  pay  with  money,  with 
out  its  having,  for  that  reafon,  an  unfavourable  ba 
lance  againft  it. 

There  is  but  one  cafe  wherein  the  balance  againft 
a  nation  can  be  declared;  it  is  that  when  having  ex- 
haufted  its  money  and  treafures,  it  remains  debtor  to 
another  nation.  But  things  could  not  remain  long 
in  this  ftate;  fo  wretched  a  foil,  unequal  to  the  con- 
fumption  and  exchange  of  its  inhabitants,  would 
foon  be  abandoned;  this,  however,  cannot  happen. 
Importation  prefently  becomes  in  proportion  to  ex 
portation;  an  equilibrium  is  eftablifhed,  and  the  pre 
tended  unfavourable  balance  has  not  duration  enough 
to  give  a  right  of  fuppofmg  even  its  exiftence. 

There  is  as  little  truth  and  juftice  in  faying  a  na- 
D  tion 


£6  OK  THE  COMMERCE  OF  THE 

tion  has  the  balance  of  trade  in  its  favour,  wlien  it 
receives  in  money  balances  due  to  it  upon  the  amount 
of  its  exportations.  This  balance,  exifting  for  a 
certain  time,  would  heap  up  fpecie  in  the  country, 
and  at  length  render  it  very  miferable.  This  has 
never  been  the  cafe;  yet  it  would  have  happened  if 
this  fyftem  had  the  leaft  foundation. 

The  circulation  of  money  depends  on  too  many 
caufes,  to  deduce  from  its  abundance  a  certain  fign 
of  a  favourable  commercial  balance;  a  thoufand 
combinations  and  events,  which  have  no  relation  to 
that  balance,  draw  money  from  abroad  or  fend  it 
there;  and  in  general,  continued  and  various  motions 
of  commerce,  the  tables  of  exportation  and  impor 
tation,  according  to  which  the  fign  of  A  favourable 
or  unfavourable  balance  is  regulated,  are  too  uncer 
tain  and  defective  for  the  purpofe,  as  well  as  for  form 
ing  a  judgment  of  the  quantities  of  coin  or  riches 
of  a  nation.* 

Let 

*  I  will  give  a  ftnking  example  of  the  deficiency  of  thefe 
calculations,  of  the  estimation  of  a  balance  of  trade,  and  of  the 
quantity  of  money.  This  example  -will  prove  that  political  cal 
culators  negleft,  or  are  ignorant  of  foreign  events  which  over 
turn  their  calculations. 

M.  Neckar  wimed  to  inform  himfdf  (Chap.  IX.  Vol.  3d, 
of  his  Treatife  on  the  Adminiftrauon  of  Finance)  what  was 
the  fum  brought  to  and  prefer ved  in  Europe  from  1763  to  1777* 
He  eftimates  it  at  one  thoufand  eight  hundred  and  fifty  millions 
of  livres,  according  to  the  regifter  of  Liibon  and  Cadiz,  com 
prehending  that  even  which  er.tercd  by  contraband,  and  lie  va 
lues  at  three  hundred  millions  of  livres  that  which  vvenc  out  of 
Europe  during  the  fame  interval. 

It  will  onh'  be  neccfTary  to  quote  two  or  three  authenticated 
fa£is,  to  prove  the  infufnciency  of  this  calculation  founded  upon 
the  regifters  of  Cuftom-houfes. 

In  fhting  the  fum  of  money  entered  into  Europe,  it  does 
not  appear  that  M.  Neckar  takes  account  of  the  gold  and  fii- 
ver,  which  the  conqueft  and  poffdTion  of  Bengal  by  the  Er?g. 
lifli,  and  their  eftabljfliments  in  tt.a  Lad-Indies,  have  caufed 
to  pafs  into  this  quarter  of  the  world.  But  according  to  the 
calculation  of  the  fecret  committee,  appointed  by  the  Parlia- 


UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA.  27 

Let  the  tables  for  comparing  the  exportation  and 

importation  of  raw  materials,  and  of  manufactured 

articles,  beincreafed  to  what  they  may;  let  the  great- 

D2  eft 


ment  of  England,  to  examine  the  ftate  of  English  poiTeffions 
in  India,  the  fums  drawn  from  Bengal  from  1757  to  1771, 
amount  to  751,500,000  livres.(a)  To  what  will  it  amount, 
if  there  be  added  to  it  thofe  drawn  from  the  Carnatic  and  from 
Oude,  of  which  Nabobs  have  the  lliadow  only  of  the  property, 
from  the  revenue  of  ihe  Northern  Circars,  from  the  theft  com 
mitted  on  the  Emperor  of  Mogul,  from  1771  to  the  prefent  day, 
of  his  twenty-fix  millions,  from  the  perpetual  increafe  of  ter 
ritories  and  revenues,  from  the  fale  made  in  1773  or"  the  RohH- 
las  to  the  Nabob  of  Oude,  which  produced  to  the  Engliih  up- 
wards  cf  fifty  millions  ?(b) 

Finally,  what  will  be  the  amount,  if  there  be  added  to  it  the 
enormous  furns  exported  from  the  Indies  by  individuals,  r/ho 
have  there  enriched  theaifelves  ?  The  fortune  of  Lor'1  Ciive 
vyaa  beyond  calculation  5  that  of  Mr.  Raftings,  againtl  whom 
a  profecution  is  now  carrying  on,  is  calculated  at  thirty  or  for 
ty  millions.  Another  Governor  has,  according  to  feveral  well- 
founded  reports,  recently  paid  upwards  of  two  millions  of  livres 
to  filence  his  accufers.  It  is  true  that  a  part  of  thefe  immenfe 
riches  have  been  emp'oyed  to  defray  the  expences  incurred  by 
the  English  in  guarding  their  poffeflions  in  India}  that  a  more 
confiderable  one  has  been  fent  into  Europe  under  the  form  of 
merchandize;  bui  it  cannot  be  denied  that  a  third  part  has  been 
brought  in  gold  and  filver  to  our  continent.  What  is  the  amount 
of  it?  This  is  impoflible  to  ftate.  But  whatever  it  may  be, 
it  renders  the  calculation  of  Mr.  Neckar  doubtful.— Let  thein- 
exhauflible  riches  of  the  Indies  be  judged  of  by  one  fail,  and 
confequently  the  immenfe  fource  from  which  the  Europeans 
hive  drawn  them,  and  by  another  confequence,  the  money  which 
muft  have  come  into  Europe.  Nadir  Schah,  who  conquered 
l>:::y  in  1740,  took  from  India  about  forty  millions  fterling.(c) 
This  money  was  circulated  in  Ferfia,  and  as  that  unhappy  ftate 

(n)  The  detail  of  this  calculation  is  given  In  The  Defcrjp- 
tion  of  the  Indies,  Vol.  I.  p.gc  249.  It  is  neceflary  to  take 
notice  here  of  an  error  crept  into  t!t,:C  work,  which  is,  that  the 
fum  total  Is  thsre  given  in  pounds  feeding,  inftead  cf  livres  tour- 
no-is. 

(b)  S?e  MackSntoih's  Voyage  to  the  Eaft  Indies,  Vol.  [, 
p.ge  340. 

fcc)  See  Mackintosh's  Voyages,  Vol.  I.  pjge  341. 


23  ON  THE  COMMERCE  OF  THE 

eft  care  and  fidelity  be  employed  to  render  them  per 
fect,  the  refult  will  never  be  more  certain  or  cleci- 
five:  for  as  long  as  prohibitory  laws,  which  are  al 
ways  accompanied  by  illicit  commerce,  mail  exift, 
it  will  be  impoflible  to  know  and  ilate  exactly  what 
comes  in  and  goes  out;*  and  if  there  be  a  coun 
try  where  no  fuch  laws  exift,  f  are  exact  regifters  of 

the 


is  torn  by  cefpotifm  and  continual  wars,(d)  produces  but  little, 
manufadtures  nothing,  and  is  confequent.iy  cU-btor  to  exrericr 
commerce,  which  comes  a  1m  oil  entirely  into  Europe,  it  follows 
that  two-thirds  cf  the  fums  dcien  from  India  by  the  freebooter 
Nadir,  have  pafTcd  over  to  the  fame  quarter.  Thefe  event-, 
unnoticed  by  political  calculator?,  have  certainly  had  great  an<l 
univerfal  influence  upon  the  fluctuation  and  circulation  of  mo 
ney.  That  which  makes  it  fuppofed  that  no  metals  come  from 
India,  is  the  opinion  that  their  importation  is  difadvantngeous. 
But  have  the  freebooters  who  haie  pillaged  that  country  for  the 
laft  thirty  ye«rs  calculated  this  difadvtntage  ?  They  drive  to 
fee ure  their  thefts,  and  do  not  fpeculate  like  merchants :  bulky 
merchandize  would  betray  them. 

With  rdpcd  to  the  flated  furns  of  money  which  pafs  from 
Europe  cr  1m  ia,  there  is  the  fame  defect  in  the  calculations  of 
Mr.  Ncckar.  He  takes  no  notice  of  the  events  which  obliged 
the  Engli/h  to  remit  confiderabie  fums  to  Inc'ia  :  for  inftaflce, 
the  two  wars  againft  the  Marritas  were  prodigiously  expenfive, 
rh:tt  aga'nft  Hyder  Aliy  in  1769  was  no:  iefs  f-1.  A  fingle  con- 
flagrution  at  Calcutta  coil  nearly  twenty-four  rrJliions  of  iivres, 
which  it  was  ncceffary  to  replace  :  yet  thefe  fums  ara  far  from 
balancing  thofe  which  are  exported  from  India. 

(d)  See  Mr.  Capper's  Voyage,  at  the  end  cf  that  of  Mackin- 
tofh,  Vol.  II.  page  454. 

*  This  is  a  itrong  objection  maSe  by  the  auverfaries  of  Lord 
Sheffield,  to  which  his  Lord/hip  his  net  fatisfaftorily  replied. 

Nothing  can  be  more  impofing  than  the  tables  of  importa 
tion  and  exportation,  and  of  the  balance  of  trade  in  Great- 
Britain,  published  by  Sir  Charles  Whitworth.  Yet  fee  with 
what  fscility  the  Count  de  Mirabeau  reduces  to  twenty  mil 
lions  of  iivres  tournois,  the  ninety  millions  which  Sir  Charles 
Whitwjrth  eiVimates  to  be  the  annual  balance  of  Englifh  com 
merce}  and  t:uft  after  this  to  cuftom-houfe  calculations. — See 
Confiderations  on  the  Order  of  Cincinnatus,  in  this  volume. 

•j-  Such  a  country  does  exiib.  There  are  many  States  among 
the  new  Republics  of  America,  which  regifter  veffds  as  they 


UNITED  STATES  OF   AMERICA.  3$ 

the  exports  and  imports  to  be  found  in  it?  And  if 
they  were,  would  it  not  be  a  conftraint  which  the 
private  interefts  of  merchants  would  frequently  oblige 
them  to  avoid? 

Moreover,  does  it  appear  that,  in  thefe  general 
balances,  which  are  iuppofed  to  be  paid  in  money, 
notice  is  taken  of  the  operation  of  bankers,  foreign 
government,  and  thofe  who  go  abroad,  in  export 
ing  the  public  fpecie.*  Knowledge  is  deceitful  which 
is  acquired  from  fuch  coafequences. 

But  how  appreciate — how  eftimate  the  increafe 
of  the  riches  and  commerce  of  a  nation? — By  its 
population.  If  this  fenfibly  augments,  if  cafe  and 
the  conveniencies  of  life  become  more  general,  if 
the  caufes  of  indigence  in  an  increafing  people  be 
feen  to  diminifh,  or  are  confined  to  inability  to  work, 
occasioned  by  accidental  illnefles;  it  is  evident,  that 
the  revenues  of  that  nation  exceed  its  expences,  and 
that  the  balance  of  trade  is  in  its  favour;  for  if  the 
value  of  its  exportation  were  inferior  to  that  of  its 
D  3  importation, 

enter,  becaufe  duties  are  paid  on  importations  j  but  there  arc 
none  on  exportation. 

*  It  is  very  probable  there  are  a  number  of  particular  caufes 
which  infenfibly  diminifh  che  quantity  of  coin  in  thofe  nations 
which  have  the  balance  of  trade  conftantly  in  their  favour. 
Werenofuch  caufes  to  exiPc,  the  confequence  would  be  that  fuch 
nations  would  be  obliged  to  bury  their  gold  and  filver  in  the 
earth,  to  prevent  its  falling  into  difuftr;  yet  neither  of  thefa 
cafes  happen.  Therefore  money  neceflarily  pafles  from  fuch 
countries  to  others. 

M.  Cafaux  has  proved  this  to  be  true,  with  refpecl  to  Eng 
land,  ;n  his  Coi»fiderations  on  THE  ME  CH  AN  ISM  OF  SOCIETY. 
He  there  explains,  that  if  the  calculations  of  Sir  Charles  Whit- 
worth  be  true,  England  ought  to  polFefa  at  this  moment  about 
four  hundred  thoufand  miihons  of  iivres  in  g  li  and  filver,  as 
the  fole  balance  of  her  co  nmerce  from  1700  to  1775.  Yet 
It  is  certain  that  flie  is  far  from  having  that  enormous  furn» 
She  has  not  ev^n  a  fum  in  proportion  to  her  population  and 
contingencies.  She  fiippl'.es  that  deficiency  by  an  immenie  cir- 
dilation  of  iier  bank-paper. 


5<3  ON  THE  COMMERCE  OS  THE 

importation,  a  confiderable  debt  and  impoverifnment 
would  foon  be  the  confequences:  and  impoverish  - 
ment  falls  immediately  upon  population.  It  is  there 
fore  by  rational  and  well  compofed  tables  upon  this 
fubject.  only,  that  a  minifter  of  found  judgment,  pro 
found  and  extended  in  his  plans,  will  be  prevailed 
upon  to  govern  himfelf.  It  is  by  them  he  will  judge 
of  the  increafe  and  advantages  of  exterior  commerce, 
as  well  as  of  national  riches. 

He  will  be  very  cautious  of  decorating  with  this 
title  the  amailing  of  gold  and  filver,  and  equally  fo 
of  making  it  the  token  of  riches,  or  of  judging  of 
their  extent  by  the  quantity  of  thofe  metals.  All 
fuch  ideas  are  fordid,  dangerous,  and  falfe;  fordid, 
becaufe  they  attach  to  this  fign  the  reprefentation  of 
produclions,  and  confequently  theextenfion  of  com 
merce;  dangerous,  becaufe  they  accuftom  men  to 
look  upon  gold  as  real  riches,  to  neglect  the  thing 
for  its  fhadow,*  and  make  them  Grangers  to  their 

country ; 

*  Could  gold  and  filver  be  preserved  from  adulteration  and 
the  attempts  of  tyranny  and  ignorance,  they  would  have  a  much 
better  title  to  be  confidered  as  real  richer.  Gold  being  an  uni- 
vetfal  agent,  he  who  p.  fFeffes  it  may  emigrate  to  wherever  he 
pleafes,  and  take  his  gold  with  him.  This  metal  is  therefore 
everv  thing  with  nations  unhappy  enough  to  make  arbitrary  ex 
ceptions  to  general  maxims,  upon  which  public  credit  is  found 
ed.  But  how  dearly  d-»  they  pay  for  their  ignorance  of  the  ad 
vantages  of  public  credit !  How  deaiU  do  governments  them- 
feivcs  pay  for  their  errors  and  outrages  !  A5!  their  meafures  arc 
fcrced — nature  is  liberal  in  vain  }  incefiantly  errployed  in  re 
pairing  evils  which  continually  prefent  themfelves,  /lie  has  not 
time  enough  allowed  hsr  to  add  to  our  hsppinefs.  When  it  was 
faid  that  rmney  had  ro  particular  country,  governments  were 
emphatically  ;:oid,  ;hat  it  was  necefTary  to  do  without  great 
quantities  of  it:  it  will  n:'Vfr  be  rejected  till  the  inerYimable  ad 
vantages  refulting  from  a  rcfpeit  for  public  credit  /hall  be  pto- 
rerly  kncwn.  The  lefs  individuals  love  and  heap  up  money, 
the  richer,  more  enlightened,  snd  better  governed  will  a  nation 
be.  To  be  r.tucheii  to  mcney,  to  hoard  it  up,  is  a  fign  of  an 
alarming  crifis,  of  a  deficiency  of  judgment  and  faith  in  admi- 
j  from  whence  cooies  the  proof  of  what  has  bc«n  faid 


UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA.  3! 

country,  ftlfe,  becaufe  that  difplay  of  figures  an 
nounces  the  quantity  only  of  money  which  conti 
nually  difappears;  and  which,  when  carried  to  a  cer 
tain  degree,  is  of  no  farther  confideration.* 

Enquiries  on  the  quantity  of  coin  are  like  thofe 
on  the  balance  of  trade.  To  eftablifli  both  one  and 
the  other  with  fome  degree  of  certainty,  it  is  necef- 
fary  to  affemble  notions  and  details,  of  which  the 
elementary  principles  yanifh,  or  inceflantly  vary.f 

The 


in  the  text,  that  '  a  writer  who  extols  gold  as  a  fign  of  riches, 
and  recommends  it  to  his  fellow  citizens,  is  deceived,  or  has  a 
bad  idea  of  their  lltuation.'  In  the  laft  cafe  he  would  do  much 
better,  if  inftead  of  preaching  this  pernicious  doctrine,  he  en 
couraged  government  to  give  an  immoveab'e  liability  to  national 
credit. 

*  It  has  not  yet  been  remarked,  that  thoufands  of  millions 
is  a  vague  expreffion,  and  does  not  furniih  a  complete  idea.  The 
imagination  cannot  exactly  conceive  for  fuch  a  fum  an  employ 
wlsjch  would  ferve  as  the  meafure  of  its  pswer  and  effect.  It 
is  known  what  could  be  done  with  twenty  or  an  hundred  mil 
lions  of  men,  but  it  is  not  known  what  could  be  effected  with 
an  hundred  thoufand  millions  of  crowns  j  yet  they  are  heaped 
upon  paperto  give  an  idea  of  power. 

f  In  general,  the  mafs  of  gold  or  filver  is  divided  into  three 
principal  parts. — The  firft  under  the  form  of  money,  ferves 
for  daily  and  unavoidable  expences.  Each  individual,  as  foon 
as  he  is  charged  with  the  lupport  of  himfelf  and  family,  rnufl 
have  at  leaft  fome  pieces  of  money  for  daily  exigencies,  and 
the  payment  of  imports.  To  this  muft  be  added  that  fum 
which  is  referved  for  cafualties. — This  cuftom  is  morf  or  lefs 
obferved  in  all  countries,  in  proportion  to  the  probability  of  dif- 
artrous  events.  It  is  impoffibie  to  calculate  this  firil  part.— 
It  is  however  evident,  that  it  ought  to  be  in  proportion  to  the 
population,  and  to  increafe  with  it}  and  that  a  decreafe  of 
populjtion  would  foon  take  place,  were  ma  v  individuals  total 
ly  deprived  of  a  pecuniary  contingency  fulTic!ent  to  procure  them 
fuch  neceffaries  as  canno:  be  oifpenfed  with,  and  which  they 
neither  make  nor  receive  themfelves.  It  appears  alfo,  that  this 
part  of  the  coin  remains  ir\  the  country  by  reafon  of  its  con 
tinued  application  ir;  little  fun, s  to  daily  wants,  and  of  the  ab- 
icmite  ftagnation  of  that  which  is  ial  i  up  in  referve. 

The  fee  on  d  part  is  deftined,  under  th-.  fame  frm,  to  the 
great  operations  of  commerce.  It  is  equally  impoflibie  to  fix 


$2.  ON  THE  COMMERCE  OF  THE 

The  nroceedings  in  theadminiftration  of  finances 
are  more  ufeful  and  certain ;  by  laying  afide  the  pomp 
of  falfc  ricties,  and  by  confidering  gold  and  filver 
in  a  point  of  view  relative  to  their  particular  pro 
perties.  They  fupply  our  wants  as  means  of  ex 
change  only;  they  are  notes  to  the  bearer,  which 
having  every  where  the  fajne  value,  are  every  where 
negociable.  Thus  they  are  ambulatory;  they  pafs, 
repafs,  are  accumulated  or  difperfed  like  the  waves 
of  the  fea,  continually  agitate/1  by  fucceflive  winds 

blowing 

its  quantity,  on  account  of  an  Infinity  of  combinations  which 
continually  change  and  caufe  thefc  metals  to  pafs  from  one 
country  to  another.  Daily  charges,  cuftoms,  &c.  retain  a  part  j 
but  thefe  r.bje&s  belong  equally  to  cur  firft  divifion. 

The  third  part  contains  uncoined  gold  and  filver,  under  what 
ever  foim  they  may  have:  it  is,  like  the  fecond,  fubjccl  to 
numbers  of  continual  variations,  which  leave  no  fatisiactory 
jTie-ir.s  of  determining  its  quantity. 

To  pretend  to  afcertain  the  quantity  in  the  mafs,  by  pay- 
nvents  of  uncertain  commercial  balances,  and  by  the  addition 
of"  fpecie  produced  from  mints  fince  a  new  coinage  has  taken 
place,  is  not  a  more  certain  means,  becuufe  it  woulo  be  equal. 
ly  neceffary  to  obferve  the  continual  acTion  of  commerce  upon 
thefe  metals,  under  all  their  forms,  and^oi"  the  combinations 
it  produces,  which  fucceffively  arife  from  one  another.  In 
thus  eftimating  money  it  is  forgotten,  that  it  is  an  unive-f.il 
agent,  which,  by  that  character  alone,  muft  neceffarily  ch  ge 
its  fituation  perpetually;  fince  commerce  has  produced  an  af 
finity  among  men,  by  w:ants,  which  they  have  cie^ued  to  t..em- 
fe'ves,  of  their  reciprocal  productions.  It  is  equally  unob- 
fervi.'',  that  different  circumftance-.  reduce  gold  to  the  ftatre 
of  an  ingot  j  that  conffquently-the  fame  piece  may  pafs  ftveral 
times  urder  the  die  in  the  courfe  of  a  certain  number  of  years. 
This  is  a  icflecYion  which  M.  Neckar  feems  not.  to  have  made 
when  he  {rated  the  money  exifling  in  France  at  to  confiJerabie 
a  lum.  Ic  will  be  known  when  tne-tecoin^e  of  the  old  i.oui» 
is  finsftied,  what  we  ought  to  think  of  hi-  calculations.  But 
the  fuiii  is  far  ihott  of  957  millions,  as  e^ima.ed  by  that  mi- 
nifter.  It  is  more  than  probable,  that  it  will  never  amount  to 
niore  th  n  TWO  thirds  of  it. 

At  this  momer,*,  fourteen  months  aftT  the  arret  for  a  new 
coin-tge,  it  amouuts  to  no  more  than  550  millions,  and  every 
thing  indicates  a  rapid  aexline. 


UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA.  33 

blowing  from  every  point  of  the  compafs.  To  un 
dertake  to  make  them  ftationary,  would  be  ftriving 
to  change  their  nature,  to  deprive  them  of  that  pro 
perty  from  which  they  derive  their  value,:  this  ridi 
culous  enterprife  is,  notwithstanding,  a  confequence 
of  the  fyftem  whichcaufes  them  to  be  looked  upon  as 
real  treasures.  Their  disappearance  is  dreaded,  arid  yet 
their  circulation  is  clogged,  and  the  mind  lofes  iight 
of  the  ufe  of  the  nroft  fimplc  and  univerfal  means 
of  creating  r?al  riches,  witiiout  which  metals  would 
be  ufelefs,  and  coniequentiy  of  no  value.. 

On  the  contrary,  difdaining  vulgar  opinions,  and 
feeing  nothing  in  gold  and  filver  but  the  means  of 
exchange,  but  proper  agents  to  facilitate  it;  the  mind, 
freed  from  the  fear  of  the  want  of  them  as  riches,  con 
ceives  the  idea  of  doing  without  them  as  agents,  at 
leaf!  about  man's  perfon.*1  What  a  vaft  field  is  this 
opened  to  induftry!  Thefe  metals  are  in  that  cafe 
refer ved  for  the  belt  ufes  towhich  nations  who  obtain 

then? 

*  It  is  aftonifiiing,  that  among  fa  many  travellers  who  have 
gone  over  the  United  States  of  America,  not  one  of  them  has 
given  a  t'efail  of  the  manner  of  exchanging  feveral  neceiTaries 
o/life;  they  are  reciprocally  furniflied  in  the  country  with  what 
they  are  in  want  of,  without  the  interference  of  money.  The 
taylor,  fhoe-  make  r,  Sec.  exeicife  their  profeffions  in  the  houfe 
of  the  hufoandman  who  has  occafion  for  their  commodities, 
and  who,  for  the  moil  pare,  furnifhss  materials,  and  pays  for 
the  workman/nip  in  provisions,  &c. — 'I  his  kini  of  exchange 
•extends  to  nvnv  objects;  each  of  thefe  people  write  clown  what 
they  receive  and  give,  and  at  the  end  of  the  year  they  clofe  an 
account  confuting  of  an  infinity  of  articles,  with  a  very  fmall 
fum;  this  could  not  be  effected  in  Europe,  but  with  a  great  deal 
of  money.  Thus  it  appears,  that  an  eafy  means  of  doing  with* 
out  great  fums  of  money  is  given  to  country  people  by  inftruct- 
ing  them  in  writing  and  arithmetic;  that  confequently  the 
fovereign  who  fhould  eftablifh  fchools  for  the  purpofe  of  teach, 
ing  this  mod  hecsfTary  nrtand  fcience,  would  create  a  confider- 
able  means  of  circulation  without  the  ufe  of  coin,  and  thai1 
this  expence,  which  feems  to  alarm  fo  many  governments,  is 
in  facl  one  of  the  moil  lucrative  fpeculations  which  the  treafary 
make. 


34  ON  THE  COMMERCE   OF  THE 

them  from  abroad  can  put  them.  They  are  fent  out  to 
feek  materials  for  mduftry,  new  commodities,  and' 
efpscially  increafe  the  number  of  citizens;  of  every 
fpecies  of  riches  this  is  the  moft  fure  and  fruitful, 
Thus,  when  gold  is  reduced  to  its  exact  value,  that 
its  real  ufe  is  known,  the  advantageous  purpofes  to 
which  it  is  proper,  are  more  juftly  calculated.  It  is 
then  perceived  that  paper  credit  may  have  the  fame 
properties  as  gold  itfelf;  and  to  fucceed  in  giving 
them  to  it,  nothing  more  is  neceflary  than  to  preferve 
the  moil  inviolable  refpect  for  the  principles  which 
fupport  public  confidence;  for  upon  what  bafis  refts 
the  value  and  general  ufe  of  money,  if  it  be  not  upon 
the  certitude  that  it  will  be  received  every  where  in 
payment  for  things  which  men's  wants  may  require, 
becaufe  of  its  conventional  value?  Why  iljould  a 
paper  which  prefents  the  fame  conventional  value, 
the  fame  cerii.  folidity,  be  refufed  in  pay 

ment?  I  wiii  add  more — A  more  folid  bafis  than 
gold  and  filver  have,  may  be  given  to  paper  money  :* 
for  we  have  no  guarantee  that  the  value  of  thefe  me 
tals  will  not  be  all  at  once  diminifhed  by  the  difcovery 
of  new  and  rich  mines;  we  cannot  calculate  their 
quantities  concealed  in  the  earth,  and  men  incefiant- 
ly  rake  up  its  bowels  in  fearch  of  them.f  Therefore 
in  countries  where  precious  metals  are  fcarce,  but 
where  lands  may  be  fnccefsfully  cultivated,  banks 
ihould  be  formed,  wl;ofe  operations  iliould  chiefly 

reft 

*  I  fay  paper  money,  without  attaching  to  thi?  exprefilon  the 
idea  of  constraint  to  receive  it  as  fuch  :  this  obligation  dimi- 
nifncs  its  value — I  would  fay  paper  credit-  if  the  word  credit 
did  not  feem  to  exclude  its  principal  quality,  that  of  being  al 
ways  ftifceptible,  and  in  an  inftant  of  being  convened  into  mo 
ney  without  the  leaft  lofs. 

•f-  Why  fhould  not  difcoveries  be  made  in  other  countries, 
like  that  in  the  laft  century  by  two  fhepherds  in  Norway,  oi' 
the  rich  mines  of  Konfbfrg,  wh^re  very  confiderabl?  msiTea 
of  filver  are  found  ?  The  King  of  Denmark  ha?  one  of  jCoib, 
Heiht  in  his  cabinet. 


UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA.  3.5 

reft  upon  title  deeds  and  produ&ions  depofited;  in 
a  word,  upon  fuch  objects  only  as  gold  and  filver 
fhouki  reprefent.* 

In  countries  where  thefe  metals  are  already  in  cir 
culation,  but  are  ftill  foreign'produftions,  eafy  and 
certain  means  Ihould  be  fought  after  to  render  ex 
changes  lefs  dependent  on  the  fecurity  or  abundance 
of  fpecie.  Paper  credit  fhould  be  naturalized  there, 
becaufe  its  infallible  effect  is  to  double  or  treble  the 
quantity  of  current  coin,  and  even  to  replace  it  en 
tirely,  where,  as  in  England,  public  confidence  has 
never  received  a  wound.  Thefe  obfervations  might 
be  more  extended  if  a  treatife  on  the  nature  of  hanks 
and  CaifTes  d'Efcompte  were  in  queftion.  But  this 
is  not  my  prefent  object;  I  have  confidered  exterior 
commerce  in  its  means  of  exchange  only,  like  metals 
arid  paper  credit,  and  in  its  balance  for  the  purpofe 
of  applying  thefe  principles  to  the  relations  and 
commerce  of  France  .and  the  United  States:  and 

more 

'*  It  is  not  true  that  much  gold  and  filver  are  neceffary  to 
eftablifh  banks,  or  create  notes  which  may  be  thrown  into  cir 
culation.  A  proof  of  the  contrary  ar ifes  from  facts  continually 
before  our  eyes.  The  multitude  of  bills  of  exchange  which 
circulate  and  crofs  each  other  in  every  direction,  have  not  all 
of  them,  for  origin  and  fecurity,  a  depofit  of  gold  and  filver. 
Neither  are  they  all  paid  when  due  with  thefe  metals.  Com 
merce  produces  an  abundance  of  fuch  papers,  which  falling  due 
on  the  fame  day,  are  difcharged  by  each  other  without  the  in 
tervention  of  fpecie,  efpt-cially  in  cicies  where  public  banks  are 
eftablifned  to  facilitate  this  kind  of  payment.  Thefe  are  called 
transfers,  and  the  principal  object  of  Caifies  d'Efcomptes  and 
banks  is  to  facilitate  them  Sy  the  payment  of  bills  fallen  due  by 
thofe  which  have  ftill  fome  time  to  run.  In  fine,  thefe  Caifies 
d'Efcomptes  and  banks,  are  themfdvcs  caufes  and  finking  proofs 
of  the  little  difficulty  fhere  is  in  fiip\iiy!n^5  by  confidence,  the 
places  of  gold  and  diver.  Firft  eftabli/hed  by  depofits  in  fpecie, 
they  foon  circulate  their  notes  for  funs  more  confiderabie  than 
thofe  dep. »fited  :  and  what  furety  is  there  for  ihe  payment  of  fuch 
notes,  if  it  be  not  by  other  Liils  not  due,  which  theCaifTea  and 
banks  receive  in  exchange  r«r  their  own  notes  payable  at  fight,  to 
which  public  confidence  gives  the  fame  value  as  to  gold  and  filver. 


36  ON  THE  COMMERCE  OF  THii 

more  efpecially  to  clear  up  fame  difficulties  to  the 
French,  who  feem  to  have  a  bad  opinion  of  this 
commercial  intercourfe,  on  account  of  the  want  of 
money  in  America,  and  to  encourage  the  independent 
Americans,  who  feem  to  dread  the  pretended  incon- 
veniencies  arifing  from  its  deficiency. 

I  think  I  have  proved  : 

ift.  That  the  balance  of  trade  is  but  an  infignifl- 
cant  word :  that  the  balance  paid  in  fpecie  is  no 
proof  of  a  difadvantageous  commerce  on  the  part  of 
the  nation  which  pays  it,  nor  advantageous  to  the 
nation  which  receives  it.* 

ad.  That  the  tables  of  that  commercjal  balance 
defer ve  no  faith;  and  that  the  only  method  of  efti- 
mating  the  increafe  of  trade,  is  by  the  increafe  of 
population,  -f- 

3d.  That 


*  Obfervewhata  refpe&able  author,  well  verfed  in  the  matter, 
and  whom  we  ihili  hereafter  have  occasion  to  quote,  thinks  of  it. 

*'  Thefe  commercial  balances,  calculated  in  different  ftate:<, 
K.rz  pitiful  5  when  I  feeconfequences  drawn  from  ridiculous  and 
laboured  official  accounts,  MI  FANNO  DAL  RISC  CREPARE. 

"  To  confider  France  and  England  only,  the  two  principal 
rmnufa&unrjg  countries,  and  the  molt  commercial  ones  in  the 
world,  what  omifiions,  negligences,  double  employs,  errorj, 
corruptions,  nocturnal  expeditions,  duties  evaded,  and  contra 
band  trade!  The  prodigious  quantity  of  wool  which  is  fent 
from  England  is  certainly  not  regiftered,  no  more  than  the  filks, 
gold  laces,  gauzes.,  blondee,  cambrics,  brandies,  and  many  other 
articles  which  are  fraudulently  introduced  there.  The  fame  in 
France:  no  account  can  be  taken  of  the  imnnenfe  quantities  of 
drapery,  hofiery,  and  fznall  hardware,  which  the  Er.glifh  fend  in 
exchange."  Voy.  en  Italic,  de  M.  Roland  de  la  Palatiere.  torn. 
i.  p.  352. 

•j-  The  errors  in  thefe  pretended  balances  rruft  be  continually 
infified  upon  :  conlequencei  dangerous  to  the  people  are  fre 
quently  drawn  ftom  them. 

Financiers  who  pillage  the  kingdom,  fay  to  Princes  on  pre- 
fenfing  them  thefe  fallacious  calculation?,  "  that  things  are  in 
a  profperous  way  ;  that  commerce  flourishes,  that  imports  mny 
be  laid  on,  loans  negociated.,  c^c.  Th>'f"  fophifrrts  are  A-.1i:c- 
ing  :  let  Princes  acouftom  themfelves  to  judge  of  public  prof- 


VTTITED  STATES  OF  AMfcMCA.  37 

3d.  That  it  is  impoffible  to  judge  exactly  of  the 
quantity  of  money  exifting  in  a  country,  and  that  all 
calculations  on  that  head  are  founded  upon  an  un- 
-certain  and  defective  ban's,  becaufe  it  is  impoffible  to 
collect  all  their  elementary  principles. 

4th.  That  metals  are  not  real  riches. 

5th.  That  confidered  as  agents  of  exchange,  it 
would  be  more  advantageous  to  fubftitute  paper  cre 
dit  in  interior  commerce,  and  to  apply  them  to  ufes 
for  which  paper  is  unfit,  to  wit,  all  the  purpofes  of 
exterior  commerce.  There  refults  from  thefe  de- 
mcnftrations,  that  commerce  may  be  begun  between 
two  nations  without  the  aid  of  money;  that  the 
quantity  a  nation  has  of  it  to  exchange  for  foreign 
; productions  is  in  proportion  to  its  confidential  inte 
rior  eftabliihments,  which  advantageoufly  fupply  its 
place. 

In  three  words,  a  good  foil,  paper  credit,  and  a 
.government  anxious  to  fupport  it,  are  the  true  means 
of  opening  the  refources  of  a  nation,  of  procuring 
abundance  of  fpecie,  as  well  as  an  extenfive  exterior 
commerce. 

I  have  not  confidered  this  commerce  in  its  influ 
ence  upon  the  manners  of  the  people;  fucha  difcuf- 
fion  would  here  be  ufelefs,  becaufe,  whatever  that 
influence  may  be,  exterior  commerce  is  a  forced  ef 
fect  of  the  refpedtivc  fituations  of  France  and  the 
United  States,  as  will  hereafter  be  made  appear.  I 
E  examine 

perity  by  population,  and  the  general  eafe  of  the  people;  let 
them  be  eye-witnefles  of  this,  and  miftruft  a  momentary  ap 
pearance  of  profperity,  which  frequently  covers  profound  mife- 
ry,  and  they  will  not  be  fo  often  deceived. 

A  King  of  Sardinia  paid  a  vifit  to  a  part  of  Savoy,  thenobi- 
lity  of  which  had  been  reprefented  to  him  as  being  poor  and  mi- 
-ferable:  they  came  to 'him  elegantly  drelled  in  clothes  of  cere 
mony,  to  make  him  their  court.  At  this  the  King  exprcffed 
his  furprifetooneof  the  gentleman,  who  faid  to  him, «  Sire,  noul 
faifons  pour  votre  Majefte  tout  ce  que  nous  devo-nsj  mais  nout 
•devons  tout  ce  que  nous  faifons.' 


38  .       ON  THE  COMMERCE   OF  Tflii 

examine  this  matter  as  a.  politician,  not  as  a  phiiofo- 
pher,  and  I  pray  the  reader  not  to  forget  the  diftino 


tion. 


CHAPTER  111. 

Application  of  the  foregoing  general  Prin'apL's  to  the  recipro 
cal  Commerce  of  France  and  the  United  States. 

That  France  has  every  Means  of  procuring  a  great  Commerce, 
and  thofe  which  muft  affure  it  to  her  in  the  United  States ; 
that  her  Productions  are  proper  for  them;  and  that  her  parti 
cular  interior  Circumftances  oblige  her  to  engage  in  this 
Commerce. 


HESE  truths  will  not  be  contested  when  the  fer 
tility  of  the  ioil  of  France  fiiall  be  confidered,  her 
various  and  particular  produ.&ions.  and  the  tempe 
rature  of  her  climate,  which  favours  thofe  the  moft 
iimple  and  neceffary. 

Thefe  advantages  conftantly  afTure  her  workman- 
fliip  at  a  lower  priue  than  thofe  of  nations  endowed 
with  the  fame  activity,  but  which  have  not  the  ad 
vantages  of  fuch  favourable  c i re um fiances. 

Her  manufactures  are  numerous,  and  her  popu 
lation  is  considerable  in  comparifon  with  that  of  moft 
other  nations.  Yet  thefe  are  far  from  the  degree  to 
which  they  may  be  extended  ;  for  in  confidering 
France,  room  for  a  more  extenfive  population  is 
foon  difcovered,  and  an  immenfity  of  means  for  a 
great  number  of  manufactures,  which  only  wait  for 
the  will  of  government  to  be  eftablifhed. 

What  other  nation  has  more  activity  ?  more  in- 
duftry  ?  or  unites  tofo  greata  degree,  all  the  advanta 
ges  of  civilization,  and  the  matter  and  means  of  the 
moft  varied  and  extenfive  interior  and  exterior  com 
merce,  independent  of  completion?  What  other 

would 


UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA.  39 

would  have  been  able  to  refift,  for  fo  long  a  time, 
the  chain  of  misfortunes,  and  repeated  faults  of 
which  ihe  has  been  the  viftim  ?  The  force  of  her 
conftitution,'  rather  than  her  apparent  profperity, 
ought  to  be  calculated  by  this  refinance.  France  is 
not  what  me  might  and  ought  to  be.  There  is  no 
doubt  but  me  will  become  fo  if  (he opens  her  eyes  to 
her  true  interefts,  if,  unfhackiing  her  interior,  fhe 
does  not  neglect  her  exterior  commerce,  and  parti 
cularly  that  which  the  United  States  wifli  to  open 
with  her.  The  productions  of  her  foil  and  induftry 
are  proper  for  them.  She  can  export  in  exchange, 
from  independent  America,  the  raw  materials  for 
which  me  may  have  occafion.  Thefe  two  countries 
may  therefore  carry  on  a  direft  commerce  of  ex- 
change  between  them,  and  fo  much  the  more  advan 
tageous,  as  the  raw  materials,  which  muft  conftitute 
it,  would  coil  them  more  in  any  other  place.  Thefe 
truths  will  not  be  doubted  when  the  double  cata 
logue  of  the  refpective  wants  of  France  and  the 
United  States,  or  of  their  importation  and  exporta 
tion,  mall  have  been  examined. 

Intelligent  patriots  are  of  opinion,  that  it  cannot 
be  advantageous  to  France,  in  her  prefent  fituation, 
to  engage  in  the  commerce  of  the  United  States. — 
They  obferve,  that  her  manufactures  being  inferior 
to  thofe  of  the  Englifh,  (lie  will  be  worded  in  the 
American  markers ;  they  add,  that  inftead  of  en 
couraging  this  commerce,  government  would  per 
haps  act  more  wifely  by  preventing  the  interior  abu- 
fes  which  Hop  the  progrefs  of  cultivation  and  in- 
duftry. 

I  am  far  from  denying  the  neceffity  there  may  be 
of  ftirring  to  reform  fuch  abufes,  d  to  direct 'our 
efforts  to  culture  and  the  improvement  of  manufac 
tures  ;  but  it  is  eafy  to  demonftrate,  that  exterior 
commerce  will  in  a  very  fhort  time  infallibly  bring 
E  2  on 


40  ON   THE   COMMERCE   OF  THE 

on  fuch  a  reform,  and  that  France  in  her  prefent 
ftate  is  in  the  greateft  need  of  this  exterior  trade. 

Jr  effc-ct,  an  active  and  induftrious  nation,  whofe 
foil  is  fertile,  ought  always  to  have  markets  for  the 
ialeofits  commodities  to  animate  its  induftry.  Its 
culture  and  manufactures  would  languifli  if  the  li 
mits  of  its  confumption  were  perceived.  It  is  even 
neceflary  that  thefe  markets  mould  be  fuperabun- 
dant;  that  one  may  fucceed  the  other,  in  cafe  of  un- 
fufpected  events,  wnich  might  caufe  a  momentary 
change  in  the  ordinary  courfe  of  things. 

What  caufe  has  thrown  Ireland  into  fo  continued 
a  ftate  of  languor,  although  one  of  thofe  countries 
the  mod  favoured  by  nature,  and  the  beft  fituated 
lor  exterior  commerce,  if  it  is  not  the  deprivation  of 
that  commerce?  An  emburraffing  exuberance  of 
productions  was  feared  :  'the  cultivation  of  them  was 
prefentiy  neglected,  and  this  negligence  increafed 
wafte  lands.  This  ifland  would  at  length  have  of 
fered  a  fpedacle  of  the  moft  deplorable  mifery,  of  a- 
complete  depopulation,  if,  by  a  reflitution  of  the  li 
berty  of  commerce,  an  end  had  not  been  put  to  fo 
cruel  a  discouragement  winch  chouked  induftry,  by 
making  it  fear  a  want  ©f  markets  for  the  vent  of  its 
productions. 

Let  our  patriots,  therefore,  ceafe  to  look  upon  fo 
reign  commerce  as  contrary  to  the  reforms  which  are 
to  revive  our  interior  trade :  to  encourage  the  firit 
is  not  to  profcribe  the  fecond,  becaufe  one  cannot 
fuccted  without  the  other.  But,  on  the  contrary,  the 
feeds  of  activity  are  fown  in  the  latter,  by  extending 
the  boundaries  of  confumption. 

Alas  !  is  not  France  evidently  in  need  of  them? 
Are  not  her  magazines  crouded  with  a  fuperfluity 
of  the  moft  necefiary  productions,  for  which  ftie  has 
no  market?  Such  as,  amongft  others,  her  wines  and 
brandies.*  The  United  States  offer  to  her  an  im- 

mtnfe 

*  Such  is  the  fi-tuation  of  Aunis  and  Saintonge — plentiful 


UNITED   STATES  OF  AMERICA.  4! 

menfe  confu motion  j  why  does  flie  refufe  to  fupply 
them  ? 

Even  if  her  wines  and  brandies  were  not  in  fiich 
fuperfluity,  it  would  be  prejudicial  not  to  fupport 
the  price  of  them  by  foreign  conlumptions.  The 
greateft  fcourge  of  induftry,  nnd  efpecially  of  manu 
factures,  is  the  low  price  of  thofe  liquors  which  are 
feducing  by  their  iirength.  On  this  account  prudent 
manufacturers  carefully  avoid  wine  countries.  It 
would  be  fuperfluous  to  give  a  detail  of  their  rea- 
fons ;  but  certainly  the  politician,  the  moft  jealous  of 
a  free  extention  of  individual  enjoyments,  will  never 
become  an  advocate  for  the  indulgence  of  men  in 
thofe  articles  which  deprive  them  of  their  faculties 
and  reafon. 

France  ought  to  defire  the  commerce  of  the  United 
States.  She  ought  alfo  to  be  anxious  for  it  on  ac 
count  of  her  manufactures,  to  employ  her  popula 
tion  which  is  in  want  of  work.  Confequently  work- 
manfliip  is  cheap;  whence  refults  indigence,  beg 
gary,  and  ftrife.*  Work  and  productions  are  in- 
creafed  by  opening  new  markets.  Thus,  for  exam 
ple,  vineyards  will  remain,  which  a  want  of  con- 
fumption  would  foon  caufe  to  be  deflroved;  thou- 
fr.nds  of  labourers,- who  languifli,  will  be  employ 
ed;  fociety  will  be  increafed  by  thoufands  of  indivi 
duals;  more  corn,  more  cloth,  &c.  will  be  neceffary: 
hence  an  increafe  of  interior  confumption  and  po 
pulation. 

E  3  When 

vintages  are  there  literally  feared,  and  thefe  provinces  are  at 
this  moment  over-charged  with  wine,  for  which  the.  have  no 
exportation  :  the  people  are  miferabie  in  the  midft  of  abundance. 
See  Note,  Chap.  V.  Seft.  r. 

*  Means  are  everj  c.iy  fought  to  dimini/h  and  prevent  crimes 
—Let  property  or  t:rrp:oy  Is  ^iven  to  thoie  who  arc  without 
them:  this  is 'the  tec  ret — It  rnuft  notwithstanding  be  agreed, 
that  property  is  prefer al)i«  to  employ  in  workfhops ;  under  this 
point  of  vie\\.  commerce  with  the  United  State.,  in  opening  to 
us  a  great  market,  will  be  a  means  of  diminiihing  mendicity 
and  vices  in  France. 


4^  OK  THE  COMMERCE  OF  THE 

When  we  examine  the  queftion,  if  exterior  com 
merce  be  advantageous  and  necefiary  to  a  nation;  a 
newly  constituted  ftate,  whofe  population  is  far  from 
being  in  proportion  to  its  foil,  where  there  is  fpace 
and  property  in  land  for  every  one,  mu't  be  diftin- 
gu idled  from  that  which  is  ancient,  rich  in  produc 
tions  as  well  as  in  men;  or,  to  fpeak  with  more  pre- 
ciiion,  a  ftate  where  the  unequal  diftribution  of  pro 
perty  takes  men  from  the  fields,  (huts  them  up  in 
cities,  and  proftitutes  their  faculties  to  the  fancies  of 
the  rich. 

Certainly  fuch  a  new  ftate  cannot  increafe  its  fo 
reign  commerce  before  it  has  cleared  great  quantities 
of  lands,  and  is  become  confiderably  peopled,  and 
has  a  furplus  of  men  and  productions. 

Such  a  ftate,  while  neceiTary,  will  undoubtedly 
follow  this  counfel. 

But  this  counfel  would  be  improper  'to  another 
ftate,  which,  advanced  in  its  civilization,  covered 
with  a  population  without  property,  having  manu 
factures  and  money  in  abundance;  whofe  induftry 
and  territorial  riches  wait  for  demands,  and  "whole 
culture  languifhes  for  want  of  markets.  A  foreign 
Commerce  is  neceflary  to  this  ftate  to  vivify  it. 

Such  is  the  foliation  of  France;  neither  foil,  ia- 
duftry,  activity,  nor  the  thirft  of  gain,  is  there  want 
ing;  other  pernicious  caufes  flacken  her  interior 
commerce.  If  the  merchant  has  not  a  certainty  of 
markets,  he  does  not  buy  nor  give  orders ;  the  ma 
nufacturer  employs  fewer  hands,  has  left,  occafion 
for  the  productions  of  the  earth.  Languor  then  de- 
fcends  from  manufactures  to  cultivation,  and  dinri- 
nifties  population. 

The  reverfe  will  be  the  cafe  in  the  fuppofition  of 
a  vaft  exterior  commerce,  and  will  lead  to  the  im 
provement  even  of  our  manufactures;  for  the  ne- 
cefiity  of  improving  to  obtain  a  preference  will  ob 
lige  manufacturers  to  ftudy  the  tafte  of  the  Ameri 
cans, 


UKITED  STATUS  OF  AMERICA.  4$ 

cans,  and  to  conform  themfelves  to  it,  to  vary  the 
productions  of  their  induftry;  and  will  oblige  them 
.not  to  relax,  that  they  may  not  be  furpafled  by  rivals. 

It  is  here  necefiary  to  make  fome  reflections  on 
the  general  inferiority  found  in  our  manufactures, 
on  comparing  them  with  thofe  of  the  Englifh.  This 
fact  has  furnifhecl  Lord  Sheffield  with  his  principal 
argument,  to  maintain  that  America  will  always 
prefer  the  latter.  It  is  neceflary  to  clear  up  this 
point,  which  feems  not  to  be  well  underitood. 

Manufactures  of  luxury,  of  convcniency,  and  of 
neceflity,  muft  be  diflingu idled  in  a  manner  hereaf 
ter  pointed  out.  Lord  Sheffield  and  all  foreigners 
agree,  that  France  has  the  advantage  in  the  firft  clal's 
of  manufactures.*  His  Lordmip  agrees  even  that 
France  makes  finer  cloths  than  thofe  of  England  ;••: 
but  with  refpecl  to  manufactures  of  convenience, 
or  fuch  as  are  intended  for  the  confumption  of  the 
people,  we  muft,  in  fpite  of  patriotifm,  agree  on 
our  part,  that  we  are  in  many  articles  inferior  to 
the  Englifti.  This  will  appear  by  the  fequel.  It 
would  be  ridiculous  and  even  dangerous  to  flatter  the 
nation  in  this  particular;  the  illufion  would  keep  it 
in  a  ft.ite  of  mediocrity.  It  is  for  a  better  conftituted 
patriotifm  to  prove  to  the  nation,  that  it  may  rife 
above  mediocrity,  and  to  fhew  it  by  what  means 
this  is  to  be  effected,  Should  any  'body  wifh  to 
know  the  caufe  of  this  double  difference  between 
the  French  and  Engliili  manufactures,  it  is  as  fol 
lows: — 

There 

*  Our  manufactures  of  fiik  have  proportionably  a  fnuch 
greacer  fale  abroad  than  that  of  our  woollens.  It  is  that,  inde 
pendent  of  tafte,  or,  if  we  will,  of  fafhion,  which  we  pofTefs, 
and  which  opens  to  us  a  great  confumption,  the  ra>v  material 
is  in  a  great  meafure  one  of  our  own  productions;  an  advantage 
which  puts  it  in  our  power  to  furmount  many  general  inconve- 
niencies,  whofe  effects  are  more  fenflble  upon  our  other  articles 
of  exportation,  fuch  as  woollens,  the  production  of  which  ha» 
lefs  relation  with  the  manufacture. 


44  ON  THE  COMMERCE  OF 

There  is  in  England  a  greater  number  of  men, 
among  the  people,  in  eafy  circumftances,  than  in 
France,  and  who  are  confequently  in  a  fituation  to 
choofe  and  pay  better  for  fucu  articles  as  they  like. 
It  is  a  known  faft,  that  the  common  people  of  Eng 
land,  although  loaded  with  taxes,  are  well  clothed 
and  fed;*  the  rags  of  mifery  are  not  found  with  the 
poulle  au  /-o/.f  ;  The  Englifn  manufacturer  having  a 
greater  demand  for  articles  of  neceflity,  and  being 
better  paid  for  them,  can  make  improvements  in  his 
manufacture. 

Should  it  be  required  to  know  from  whence  comes 
the  eafinefs  of  circumftances  fo  general  in  England, 
independent  of  the  foil  and  polition.  and  the  advan 
tages  of  that  liberty  which  reigns  there,  ii  refults 
from  the  con  fid  era!  ion  attached  to  indnitry  in  the 
opinion  of  the  public;  from  the  laws  lure  protection 
accorded  to  every  individual  againft  the  agents  of 
government;  and  the  haughtinefs  and  infolence,  to 
which  they  are  naturally  inclined  (becaufe  in  men  of 
(lender  education  thefe  are  the  effect  of  power,)  be 
ing 

*  The  goodnefs  of  things  manufactured  is  fo  generally  requi- 
fite  in  England,  that  merchandizes  deftirsed  for  exportation 
are  there  dtftinguifhed  from  thofe  for  interior  cmJumption. 
There  are  great  warehoufes  wherein  the  iales  are  for  exportation 
only  ;  the  ebjeft  of  others  is  interior  conlumption.  Peoj  lc  who 
judge  haftih  conclude  from  hence,  that  thofe  for  expi  rtation  are 
badly  manuf^durwd.  They  aie  deceived,  the  difference  is  in 
the  choice  of  materials.  THE  ENGLISHMAN  SPARIS  NO 
THING  FOR  THAT  WHICH  HE  coKsuMF.6.  The  workman* 
fhip  is  the  fame  ;  it  would  coft  in  general  more  to  manufacturers 
to  have  two  forts  of  workmanflilp,  a  good  and  a  bad  »,ne,  vha;i  to 
have  one  only  which  is  gcod,  and  a  manufacture  eftab<iihed  upon 
a  bad  kind  of  workmanfhip  would  foon  be  dectied.  A  fhoe  cicf- 
tined  to  foreign  commerce  is  at  well  made  as  another  j  but  it 
does  not  lafV  fo  long,  becaufe  the  leather  is  not  chofcn  from  the 
bcft  kind  5  and  fo  of  the  reft. 

•\  A  memorable  exprcfllon  of  Henry  the  fourth  of  France, 
who,  in  a  converfation  \vilh  his  favourite  Sully,  faid,  he  hoped 
to  fee  the  time  when  the  rocrefr  of  his  fubjpfts  would  have  it  in 
Uieir  power  to  put  a  fcwi  into  the  pot  for  their  Sunday's  dinner. 


tJNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA.  4^ 

ing  continually  reprefled,  and  their  being  prevented 
from  trampling  upon  the  citizen,  who  muft  be  obe 
dient.  He  is  obedient  to  the  law,  and  not  to  him 
who  puts  it  in  execution.*  In  fine,  it  is  the  confe- 
quence  of  not  blufhing  to  be  a  tradefman,  artificer, 
or  workman,  from  father  to  fon. 

In  France  there  are  individuals  exceflively  rich; 
but  the  people  are  poor.  The  firft  have  it  in  their 
power  to  pay  extremely  dear  for  articles  of  luxury 
and  fancy,  which  caufe  an  improvement  of  manu 
factures  of  this  kind.  Finer  cloths,  as  it  has  been 
before  obferred,  "are  to  be  found  in  France  than  in 
England  ;  but  their  quantity  is  not  great,  becaufe  there 
is  not  an  extcnfive  demand  for-  thofe  of  the  firft 
quality. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  property  of  the  people 
being  very  inconfiderable,  they  pay  badly,  and  the 
confequence  is,  that  things  of  convenieney  or  necef- 
fity  are  badly  manufactured  for  them. 

I  will  not  hereenter  into  the  examination  of  caufes 
which  occafion  fuch  a  ftate  of  things,  nor  of  the 
means  of  changing  it.  I  will  leave  the  difcuffion  of 
fuch  means  for  another  chapter;  but  the  following 
conclufions  muft  neceflarily  be  drawn  from  thefe 
facts:  the  perfection  of  manufactures  depends  upon 
the  demand,  and  the  demand  upon  the  means  of 
payment.  Now,  becaufe  the  French  have  not  thofe 
means,  they  mult  be  fowght  after  in  a  foreign  coun 
try. 

*  THEE  and  THOU,  as  terms  of  contempt,  are  unknown  In 
England:  SIR,  is  the  general  defignation  of  every  individual. 
A  man  aceufed  of  the  greateit  crimes,  and  who  has  the  moft 
miserable  appearance,  is  never  fpokcn  to  in  the  fingular  num 
ber  when  he  is  interrogated  by  his  judges  ;  and  as  he  becomes 
an  object  of  pity  when  he  is  convicted,  decent  appellations,  ge 
nerally  in  ufe,  are  not  changed  with  refpeft  to  him.  Can  one 
fuppofe  that  this  refpeft  for  man  is  prejudicial  to  public  prof- 
peri  ty  ?  Man  is  elevated  by  it;  it  gives  him  energy,  and  inclines 
him  to  eafe.  Contempt,  which  in  other  places  is  affected  fc<f 
th  --.rieop^-,  leads  them  to  rnifery,  and  retains  them  in  it. 


46  ON"' THE  COMMERCE  OF"  TIT" 

try.  Increafe  foreign  demands  for  French  manufac 
tures,  and  they  will  be  feen  to  improve  very  rapid 
ly.  This  is  the  effect  which  the  commerce  of  the 
United  States  will  produce  in  France.  Thefe  States 
contain  a  people  accuftomed  to  be  well  clothed,  to 
make  ufe  of  well  manufactured  things  only,  and  ca 
pable  of  paying  for  good  workmanmip  by  their  pro 
ductions.  Charged  with  the  furnifhing  of  articles 
for  American  confumptioa,  French  manufacturers 
will  ftrive  to  outdo  their  rivals;  and  they  can  eafily 
accomplilh  this  when  Government  Jliall  bs  willing.  Na 
ture  has  given  them  the  means.  They  will  become 
fuperior  in  almoft  every  thing  when  once  they  (hall 
no  longer  be  obilinately  counteracted. 

Therefore,  the  commerce  with  the  United  States 
will  be  the  ca-ufe  of  improvement  in  French  cultiva 
tion  and  induftry.  Confequently  it  is  neceliary  to 
embrace  and  purfue  it. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

That  tie  United  States  are  obliged  ly  tlieir  prefent  Necef* 
Jities  and  Circwnftances  to  engage  in  foreign  Commerce. 


OOME  writers,  among  whom  are  found  the  cele 
brated  Dr.  Price,  and  the  Abbe  Mably,  have  exhort 
ed  the  independent  Americans,  if  not  to  exclude  ex 
terior  commerce  entirely  from  their  ports,  at  baft 
to  keep  it  within  very  contracted  bounds.  They 
pretend, that  the  ruin  of  republicanifm  in  the  United 
States  can  happen  only  from  exterior  commerce;  be- 
caufe  by  great  quantities  of  articles  of  luxury  and  a 
frivolous  tafte,  that  commerce  would  corrupt  their 
morals,  and  without  pure  morals  a  republic  cannot 
exift. 


:  UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA. 

"  Alas!  what  can  the  United  States  import  from 
"  Europe,  continues  Dr.  Price,  except  it  be  infec- 
"  tion?  I  avow  it,  cries  the  Doctor,  I  tremble  in 
44  thinking  on  the  furor  for  exteriorcommerce,  which 
"  is  apparently  going  to  turn  the  heads  of  the  Ame- 
"  ricans.  Every  nation  fpreads  nets  around  the 
"  United  States,  and  carelTes  them,  in  order  to  gaiji 
"  a  preference;  but  their  intereft  cautions  them  to 
"  beware  of  thefe  feductions."* 

I  am  far  from  contradicting,  in  its  bajis,  the  opinion 
of  thefe  politicians.  Moreover,  I  think,  with  Dr. 
Price,  that  the  United  States  will  one  day  be  able  to 
produce  every  thing  neceffary  and  convenient;  but  I 
am  alfo  of  opinion,  that  thefe  two  writers  have  con- 
fidered.  the  independent  Americans  in  a  falfe  point  of 
view;  that  they  have  not  ftifikiently  obfervedthe  ftate 
of  their  circumftances;  in  fine,  that  their  circum fiances 
and  afiual  tvanfs  oblige  them  to  have  recourfe  to  foreign 
commerce.  This  is  a  truth  which  I  propofe  to  de 
mon  ftrate;  for  I  will  prove  that  the  independent 
Americans  are  in  want  of  the  necefiaries  and  con- 
veniencies  of  life,  and  in  fome  itates,  of  luxuries, 
and  that  their  habits  and  nature,  added  to  other  cir- 
cumflances,  will  always  prevent  their  renouncing 
them  entirely. 

I  will  prove,  that  having  no  manufactures,  they 
cannot  themfe'.vec  fnppJy  thefe  wants,  and  that  they 
can  have  no  manufactures  for  a  long  time  to  come. 

That  although  they  already  polTefTed  them,  they 
ought  to  prefer  to  national  ones  thofe  of  exterior 
commerce,  and  that  they  fliould  rather  invite  Euro 
peans 

*  Price's  Obfervatlons,  psge  76.  See  the  Abbe  M.-i.')!y, 
what  he  lays  of  thefe  obfervations,  from  page  140  to  pa^e  163. 
See  alfo  what  the  Count  de  Mirabeau  h;>s  added  to  the  U-.f-r- 
vations  of  Dr.  Price,  in  h';s  Reflections  printed  at  the  end  of 
his  tranflation  of  ihis.wo-k,  page  319.  London  edition,  1785. 

He  has,  as  a  fevere  philofopher,  treated  on  exterior  com 
merce,  and  made  abflraftion  of  the  acluul  fituation  of  the 
Americans. 


4$  X5N  THE  COMMERCE  OF  THIS 

peans  to  their  ports  than  frequent  thofe  of  the  Euro 
pean  ftates. 

Finally,  that  by  the  fame  reafon  which  makes  it 
impoffible  to  exclude  exterior  commerce,  in  cafe  of 
wants  which  alone  it  can  fupply,  it  is  equally  fo  to 
fix  its  boundaries. 

When  the  nature  of  man  is  attentively  confidered, 
it  is  feen  that  it  inceflantly  difpofes  him  to  render 
his  life  agreeable.  If  he  has  a  property,  he  ftrives 
to  improve  it;  if  the  foil  he  cultivates  be  fruitful, 
and  demands  but  little  in  advance,  the  defire  of  in- 
creating  his  enjoyments  Simulates  him  to  torture  his 
land  to  draw  from  it  its  various  productions.  One 
idea  put  in  practice  gives  birth  to  another;  one  want 
fatisfied  creates  a  fecond,  to  have  the  pleafure  of  fa- 
tisfy  ing  this  alfo.  Such  is  the  nature  of  man  ;  his 
activity,  which  leads  him  fromdefires  to  enjoyments, 
from  one  change  to  another,  is  the  fource  of  what 
are  called  manufactures.  A  manufacture  is  but  the 
means  of  giving  to  a  production  of  the  earth,  a  form 
which  adds  to  it  a  new  degree  of  agreeablenefs  and 
utility.  Want  and  defire  of  manufactures  are  there 
fore  in  the  nature  of  man;  fo  that  if  we  fuppofed 
Europe  entirely  annihilated,  manufactures  would 
loon  rife  up  in  America,  becaufe  each  individual 
ftrives  to  render  his  exiftence  agreeable  by  means  the 
moft  fpeedy  and  efficacious.'* 

Manufactures, 

*  Perhaps  the  character  and  life  of  favages,  who  are  fup- 
pofed  to  have  no  manufactures  among  them,  will  be  oppofed  to 
thefe  reafonings?  Men  are  deceived  in  judging  thereby  j  for 
thefe  people,  which  we  lock  upon  as  only  one  degree  removed 
from  a  ftate  of  nature,  work  up  and  manufacture  the  earih's 
productions..  Thus  from  their  corn,  before  it  is  ripe,  they  ex 
tract  a  gelatinous  juice,  with  v.  hich  they  make  palatable  cakes. 
Therefore,  before  the  arrival  of  Europeans,  they  knew  how  to 
make  fermented  liquors,  tools,  utenfiis,  arms,  ornaments,  &c. 
They  confined  themfelves  to  thefe ;  hunting  took  them  from  a 
fedentary  life,  and  did  not  give  them  time  enough  to  extend  their 
Ideas. 


"UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA.  49 

Manufactures,  like  the  wants  of  civilized  men, 
may  (as  was  obferved  in  the  laft  chapter)  be  divided 
into  three  clafTes:  ift.  thole  of  neceffity;  2d.  thofe 
K)f  convenience;  ^d.  thofe  of  fancy  or  luxury.  Food, 
.and  the  natural  exigencies  of  mankind,  are  compre* 
bended  in  the  firfl  clafs. 

It  is  from  the  wants  of  convenience  efpecially, 
that  manufactures  have  their  origin.  Without  doubtj 
ikins  of  (beep  were  fufficient  to  defend  men  from 
the  feverities  of  cold;  a  cabin  or  a  hut  from  the  in 
tern  perature  of  the  atmofphere;  but  man-  is  no  fooner 
prefer ved  from  one  evil  than  he  feeks  to  get  rid  of 
another.  Skins  are  infufceptible  of  being  well  join 
ed  together;  ufe  makes  them  hard;  a  cabin  is  frequent 
ly  thrown  down,  is  confined  and  fmoaky;  whence 
arife  the  wants  of  conveniency,  which  are  transform 
ed  into  enjoyments,  whole  accuftomed  ufe  changes 
them  into  neceffities. 

When  man  has  every  convenience,  he  then  thinks 
of  ornament.  Hence  the  wants-of  luxury ;  they  are 
entirely  in  the  imagination,  and  procure  imaginary 
pleafures  only.  Therefore  to  wear  any  laced  clothes, 
or  drink  coffee  out  of  a  china  rather  than  a  delfen 
cup,  is  a  want  created  by  luxury  or  fancy. 

The  nature  of  thcfe  three  kinds  of  want  being 
pointed  out,  it  is  neceflary  to  know  what  thofe  of  the 
Americans  are.  They  have  the  two  iirft  of  them. 
Their  habitudes  contracted  in  their  infancy  from 
European  emigrants,  and  their  commerce  with  the 
Englifh,  have  accuftomed  them  to  the  kind  of  life  and 
F  tafte 

The  paftoral  life  of  the  Arabians  has  concluded  them  one  or 
two  degrees  farther  in  the  art  of  manufacturing,  becaufe  that 
kind  of  life  affords  greater  leifure,  and  gives  more  uniform  and 
conftarnt  produ&ions.  Thofe  (hepherds,  whofe  riches  confift  but 
in  their  flocks,  and  who  Jive  on  milk  a{one,  and  are  clothed 
•with  their  wool  only,  have  a  paflionate  dcilre  for  coffee,  fherbet, 
and  ftigar.  The  defire  of  increafing  their  enjoyments  is  the 
caufe.  Let  it  'be  therefore  agreed,  that  m^n  by  his  nature  if 
inclined  to  enjoyment,  and  confeguentiy  to  manufactures. 


^O  ON  THE  COMMERCE  OF  THt 

talle  of  the  latter,  and  It  is  well  known  that  Englifh 
induftry  has  been  particularly  directed  to  ueceflary 
and  ufcful  arts. 

The  independent  Americans,  at  leaft  thole  who 
inhabit  great  maritime  cities,  have  borrowed  from  the 
Englifh  a  tafte  for  luxuries;  they  feek  for  gauzes, 
blond  lace,  lilks,  &c.  It  is  however  with  pleafure  I 
obferve,  that  if  this  tafte  of  modes  has  inferred  Lon 
don  within  thefe  few  years,  its  ravages  have  not  been 
extended  with  the  fame  rapidity  in  the  United  States 
as  in  Europe  Their  fituation,  auftere  religion, 
morals,  and  ancient  habits,  their  rural  or  marine  life, 
prevent  their  feeking  after  elegance  and  drefs,  and 
keep  them  from  oftentation  and  voluptuoufnefs.  Al 
though  they  may  perhaps  be  changed  a  few  degrees, 
the  evil  is  not  yet  fenfible,  at  leaft  in  the  Northern 
States  *  Therefore  our  obfervations  ought  princi 
pally  to  reft  upon  the  two  firft  clafTes  of  wants.  Now 
it  is  impoffible  that  the  Americans  fhould  ever  re 
nounce  them;  they  will  be  perpetually  led  and  at 
tached  to  them  by  their  nature  and  habitudes,  and 
by  the  manner  in  whicii  their  population  is  in- 
creafed. 

By  their  nature,  becaufe  they  are  men;  and  it  has 
been  proved,  that  man  is  endowed  with  that  activity 
\vhich  perpetually  difpofes  him  to  add  to  his  enjoy 
ments. 

By  their  habitudes,  becaufe,  as  it  has  been  ob- 
ferved,  they  contracted  that  of  all  thofe  wants;  and 
it  is  well  known,  that  a  tafte  for  pleafure  is  not  to  be 
exterminated  when  rooted  by  habitude.  How  can 
it  be  required  of  man  to  deprive  himfelf  of  wine  and 

liquors 

*  Luxury  Is  certa'nly  to  be  found  in  Virginia;  and  when  we 
fpeak  of  luxury  with  rrfpeft  to  free  America,  it  is  neceffary  t» 
diftinguifli  carefully  the  Southern  f.-on.  the  Northern  States} 
cities  from  the  country ;  maritime  cities  from  interior  oner.  By 
thefe  diftinctions  many  contrarieties  in  the  account!  of  fuperficiaJ 
tjraveliers  may  be  explained. 


UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA.  £  I 

liquors  to  which  he  is  accuftomed,  and  in  which  he 
places  a  part  of  his  enjoyments,  except  we  would 
render  him  unhappy  ?  I  will  not  quote  hermits,  iick 
perfons,  or  philosophers,  who  have  had  that  empire 
over  themfelves;  but  let  not  a  like  prodigy  be  expect 
ed  in  a  whole  nation.  An  aflbciation  of  three  mil 
lions  of  philofophers  has  not  yet  been,  nor  will  be 
feen  to  confine  themfelves  to- the  regimen  of  Pytha 
goras,*  or  the  diet  of  Cornaro, 

The  fevere  facrifke  of  tea,  which  the  independent 
Americans  made  at  the  beginning  of  the  war,  will 
perhaps  be  alfo  quoted.  The  enthufiafm  of  liberty 
and  influence  of  example  were  able,  during  iome 
time,  to  overcome  their  habitudes;!  as  religious  en 
thufiafm  has  combated,  fometimes  fuccefsfuily,  the 
paffions  of  an  hermit.  But  there  is  no  caufe  power 
ful  enough  to  produce  a  like  effe6l>  except  in  the 
crifis  which  makes  the  facrifice  necefTary  and  eafy. 
The  reafon  of  the  dependence  in  which  the  Ameri 
cans  would  put  themfeives  with  refpecl:  to  the  Eu 
ropeans,  and  the  fear  of  diftant  corruption,  are  mo 
tives  too  feeble  to  carry  men  to  that  point  of  heroifm! 
It  is  not  fufficiently  demonftrated  to  them  that  they 
cannot  drink  wine  from  Madeira  without  being 
fome  day  corrupted  by  it,  and  without  preparing 
the  way  for  great  calamities. 

The  manner  in  which  population  is  renewed  and 
F  a  increafed 

*  It  is  not  that  we  ought  not  to  b-lleve  that  one  of  the  great 
means  of  regenerating  the  old  people  of  the  Continent,  and  of 
fupporting  republicanifm  in  the  United  States,  would  be  to  give 
to  children  fuch  an  education  as  Pythagoras  exertifed  at  Croto- 
na.— -SEE  THE  LIFE  OF  PVIHAGORAS. 

f  It  is  afTured  that  abftinence  from  tea  was  not  every  where 
faithfully  obferved,  which  appears  very  probable  on  reflecting 
that  there  was  a  party  which  fain  would  have  violated  it.  1 
have  known  federal  perfons  whom  the  deprivation  of  tea  had 
made  ill  for  a  long  time,  although  they  had  tr'ed  illufive  means, 
by  fubftituting  the  infufioa  of  agreeable  iito.ules  for  that  of  tb«; 
tea- leaf. 


£4  OK  THE' COMMERCE  OF 

increafcd  in  America,  does  not  make  it  probable 
that  its  inhabitants  will  ever  be  able  to  renounce  the 
want  of  European  productions. 

A  prodigious  number  of  individuals  emigrate 
every  year  from  all  parts  of  Europe  to  America, 
who  carry  with  them  wants  and  inclinations  which 
they  have  from  education  and  habit.  If  they  find 
them  in  America,  they  continue  to  gratify  them; 
if  they  are  unknown  there,  they  naturalife  them, 
and  it  is  the  firft  thing  they  go  about;  for  they  do- 
not  fo  much  perceive  the  new  pleafures  they  are  go 
ing  to  enjoy,  as  thofe  of  which  they  are  deprived; 
fo  great  is  the  force  of  our  firft  habits  and  cnftoms. 
Remembrance,  although  frequently  mixed  with  the 
cruel  idea  of  fervitude,  abandons  man  in  the  grave 
only. 

According  to  this  inclination,  natural  to  all  men, 
let  the  immenfe  variety  of  wants  and  appetites  be 
calculated -which  are  going  to  tranfplant  themfelves 
from  Europe  to  the  United  States:;  and  let  it  be 
judged,  whether  it  be  poifible  to  put  bounds  to  or 
deflroy  them. 

Tofucceed  in  this,  it  would  not  only  be  necef- 
fary  to  fliut  out  foreign  commerce  from  all  the  Ame 
rican  ports:  American  indnftry  mult  be  circumfcrib- 
ed,  and  the  fource  of  their  wants  (lopped  up;  it  would 
be  necefiary  to  imitate  the  Lacedemonian  law,  which 
ordained  that  nothing  fhould  be  worked  up  but  with 
the  heavy  hatchet,  the  more  effectually  to  banifh  the 
luxury  of  elegant  furniture.  In  a  word,  a  miracle 
muft  be  operated  upon  the  Americans,  to  take  from 
them  all  remembrance  of  what  they  have  been,  of  all 
they  have  feen,  frnelt,  or  tafted ;  and  the  fame  en 
chantment  muft  deprive  European  emigrants  of  their 
ideas;  as  it  would  be  abfurd  to  hope  fora  like  pro 
digy,  the.  f wee  of  things,  which  drags  the  indepen 
dent  Americans  into  exterior  commerce,  muft  be 

fubmitted 


UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA.  53 

fubmitted  to.*     All  is  reduced  to  two  \yords :  Ame 
rica  has  wants,  and  Europe  has  manufactures. 

In  the  United  States  Ibme  of  the  inhabitants  fill  up 
the  leifure  afforded  by  agriculture  (in  which  the  Eu 
ropeans  cannot  hope  to  become  their  rivals)  with  an 
attention  to  manufactures.  And  they  have  others 
confined  to  the  moil  neceffary  arts;  connected  with 
cultivation,  fimeries,  and  the  conftruftion  of  vdlels, 
But  even  thefe  manu  fa  enures  are  but  few  in  numbei, 
and  inefficient  for  the  wants  of  the  United  States. 
They  are  therefore  obliged  to  have  recourfe  to  Eu 
rope.  It  is  not  that  they  neither  have,  nor  can  have 
almofl  all  the  raw  materials  employed  in  our  own 
manufactures.  They  have  hemp,  flax  and  cotton. f 

But,  if  they  had  raw  materials  in  plenty,  they 
ought  to  be  advifed  not  to  eftablifli  manufactures;  or, 
to  ipeak  more  juftly,  manufactures  could  not  be  efta- 
blijhed  ;  the  nature  of  things  ordains  it  Jo.  Let  us  dif- 
cufs  this  queftion,  as  it  is  an  important  one. 

F  3  There 

*  It  is  with  regret  that  I  write  this  fa&,  on  considering  ic 
philofophically,  but  it  appears  to  have  been  demonfirated  poli 
tically.  No  perfon  wifhes  more  than  I  do  to  fee  the  United 
States  feparate  themfelves  from  all  the  world,  and  in  this  (nua- 
tion  to  find  again  the  aufterity  of  the  Spartan  regimen,  with 
out  its  cruel  principles  of  military  difpofition.  It  would  be  a 
fmart  ftroke  in  politics  j  but  this  unhappily  is  no  more  than  a 
dream. 

f  The  four  Southern  States  gather  great  quantities  of  cot 
ton.  Their  poor  are  clothed  with  it  winter  and  fummer.  Irt 
winter  they  wear  cotton  fhirts,  and -clothes  of  wool  anc  cotton 
mixed.  In  fummer  their  fhirts  art  linen,  and  their  outward 
clothes  of  cotton.  Women's  drefs  is  entirely  of  cotton,  and 
made  up  by  themfelves,  women  of  the  richeft  clafs  excepted  ; 
yet  a  woman  of  this  clafs  has  a  deal  of  cotton  worked  up  iu 
her  houfe,  and  this  caliico  equals  in  beauty  that  of  Europe. 
Thofe  from  the  South  furni/h  a  deal  of  cotton  to  the  States  of 
the  North,  which  cannot  grow  it,  the  climate  being  too  cold. 

Theie  is  fcarcely  any  part  of  the  United  States  without  good 
flour  and  faw  mills.  The  Northern  States  have  others  for  flat 
tening  iron.  It  is  in  the  conduction  of  mills  efpecially,  that 
the  Americans  diftinguifh  themfelves,  in  varying  theii  employ 
and  utility,  and  in  their  diftribution* 


54  ON  THE  COMMERCE  OF  THE 

There  are  many  reafons  for  men's  engaging  in  a 
new  country  in  agriculture  rather  than  in  manufac 
tures.  There,  where  two  individuals  can  ealily  live 
together,  they  marry,  fays  Montefquien.  The  la 
bour  of  the  field  offers  to  them  more  means  of  living 
together,  of  augmenting  and  f upper  ting  their  fami 
ly,  than  working  at  manufactures:  in  thefe  the  de 
pendence  of  the  workman,  his  precarious  and 
changeable  fta*e,  his  moderate  wages,  and  the  high 
price  of  provifions  in  cities,  where  moft  manufac 
tures  are  eftablifhed,  put  it  out  of  his  power  to  think 
of  having  a  companion;  and  if  he  has  one,  the  prof- 
peel:  of  mifery  which  fne  muffc  have  before  her  eyes 
after  his  death,  impofes  on  him  a  law  contrary  to 
propagation,  to  avoid  the  cruelty  of  caufing  children 
to  be  brought  into  the  world  only  to  be  unhappy.* 

In  a  new  country  where  land  is  not  dear,  where  it 
requires  not  much  in  advance,  or  an  expensive  cul 
tivation,  and  is  at  the  fame  time  fruitful,  the  num 
ber  of  little  and  happy  families  muft  rapidly  increafe. 
What  a  difference  in  other  refpecls  from  this  pure 
and  fimple  country  life,  where  man  is  conftantly  in 
the  prefence  of  nature,  where  his  foul  is  elevated  by 
the  fpectacle,  where  his  phyfical  principles  continu 
ally  regenerate  by  a  falubrious  air,  and  in  reviving 
exercifes,  where  he  lives  in  the  midft  of  his  relations 
and  friends,  whom  he  makes  happy :  what  a  difference 
from  that  to  the  life  of  manufacturers  condemned 
to  vegetate  in  difmal  prifons,  where  they  refpire  in 
fection,  and  where  their  minds  are  abforbed,  as  well 
as  their  lives  abridged  1  This  conduct  alone  ought  to 

decide 

*  Journeymen  manufacturer?,  and  In  general  men  in  a  ftate 
of  dependence,  whofe  fubfiftence  is  precarious,  and  who  have 
children,  certainly  love  them  lefs  than  the  inhabitants  of  the 
country  who  have  a  fraa!!  property.  The  paternity  is  a  bur- 
then,  and  consequently  often  odious  to  the  firftj  their  children 
are  ignorant  of  the  foJ  t  carefles  of  paternal  Jove.  What  kind  o£ 
generation  muft  arife  froro  fucii  s.  connection  i 


UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA.  ££ 

decide  the  Americans  to  reject  the  painful  flate  of 
ma  nu  failures.* 

Befides 

*  The  idea  of  property  Is  one  of  the  flrongeft  ties  by  which 
man  Is  attached  to  life,  to  his  country,  to  virtue,  and  I  will 
add  even  to  health.  The  fatisfaction  of  a  manufacturer,  who 
at  the  end  of  the  week  has  a  guinea  in  his  pocket,  is  far  from 
that  of  the  little  country  proprietor,  who  is  feldom  pofTefTed  of 
fuch  a  fum;  but  who  gathers  in  his  own  field  every  thing  ne- 
ceffary.  He  loves  it,  fees  it  always  with  pleafure,  takes  care 
of  its  cultivation,  and,  by  a  confequence  of  this  fofc  difpofi- 
tion,  he  attaches  himfeif  to  the  animals  which  aflift  him  in  that 
cultivation. 

The  labourer  fees,  as  he  works,  the  pofiibility  of  increafmg 
the  number  of  his  childreuj  and  he  has  the  pleafing  hope  of 
leaving  them  after  his  death  a  little  corner  of  earth  wMch  will 
ke;p  them  from  indigence. 

The  labourer  is  happy  becaufe  his  contracts  are  with  the 
earth  only,  which  give*  liberally  and  difintereftedly,  whilft  the 
intereft  of  the  mafter  who  pays  the  manufacturer  embitters  the 
wages  which  he  receives. 

The  labourer  is  ft;ll  happy,  becaufe  he  Is  only  amongft  his 
equals;  inequality  is  the  fource  of  malice.  The  fuperior  is 
malicious  to  fupport  his  oppreflzon.  The  Have  is  vindictive  to 
deftroy  and  revenge  it. 

The  labourer  is  amiable  and  generous,  becaufe  it  would  be 
neceffary  to  abandon  all  cultivation,  if  there  was  not  between, 
hufoandmen  a  reciprocity  of  fervices  and  confidence. 

Perhaps  it  would  not  be  difficult  to  prove  that  health  and 
goodnefs  are  aiminiihed  in  proportion  to  the  increafe  of  manu 
factures,  cities,  property,  and  the  defertion  of  rural  life  ;  and 
that  vices  and  crimes  are  increafed  in  the  fame  proportion. 

This  is  not  the  opinion  of  the  fenfible  and  interefting  author 
of  the  Study  of  Nature :  "  When  I  was  ac  Mofcow,"  fays  he, 
(Vol.  III.)  f{  an  old  Genevois,  who  was  in  that  city,  in  the 
«'  time  of  Peter  I.  told  me,  thatfmce  different  means  of  fub- 
<(  fiftence  had  been  opened  to  the  people  by  the  eilabii/hmentof 
*'  manufactures  and  commerce,  feditions,  affaifinations,  rob- 
ft  beries,  and  incendiariesjhad  been  lefs  frequent  than  formerly." 
But  this  would  not  have  exifted,  and  there  would  have  been 
the  fame  public  and  private  virtue,  if  mftead  of  making  the 
Ruffians  manufacturers,  they  had  been  made  proprietors  of 
lands.  Hufbandmen  are  honeft  peopie,  fays  JVf.  de  St.  Perre 
himfeif.— And  workihops,  as  I  have  iuftobferved,  do  not  offer 
that  neceffity  of  reciprocal  fervice  which  gives  the  habitude  of 
goodnefs  j  they  prefeut  intereft  itruggling  againft  intereft,  rich 


£6  ON  THE  COMMERCE  OF  THE 

Befides  there  will  be,  for  a  confiderable  time  to 
come,  more  to  be  gained  in  the  United  States,  by  the 
earth,  which  yields  abundantly,  than  by  manufac 
tures — and  man  places  himitif  in  that  iituation  where 
the  greatefiand  moft  fpeedy  gain  is  to  be  acquired. 

As  population  mud,  for  many  ages,  be  difpropor- 
tioned  to  the  extent  of  the  United  States,  land  will 
be  cheap  there  during  the  fame  length  of  time,*  and 
eonfequently  the  inhabitants  will  for  a  long  time  be 
cultivators. 

Thofe  whom  ambition,  thiril  of  gain,  or  igno 
rance,  ihould  incline  to  eftablifh  manufactures,  will, 
from  that  moment,  be  difbanded  from  it  by  the  dear- 
nefs  of  workmanfhip.  This  dearnefs  is  already  very 

confider- 

and  indolent  Cupidity  driving  to  cheat  active  indigence.  If 
workshops  do  not  make  men  rafcals,  they  difpofe  them  to  be 
come  fo}  they  make  them  egotifts,  infenfible,  uncouth,  and 
bad  fathers. 

Therefore,  the  fact  quoted  by  this  author  does  not  prove, 
that  to  prevent  crimes,  it  is  neceffary  to  eftablifh  manufac 
tures}  but  that  it  is  better  to  have  manufactures  peopled  with 
degraded  workmen,  than  forefls  with  banditti  j  it  ii  a  leffer 
evil,  but  it  isftill  an  evil. 

I  *  An  idea  of  the  price  of  lands  in  the  United  States,  may 
be  formed  from  the  following  article  taken  from  the  Gazette  of 
Philadelphia,  of  gth  of  December,  1784:  "  Obferve  that  the 
*'  ground  of  Pennfylvania  begins  to  be  dear,  and  that  the  inha- 
11  bitants  begin  to  emigrate  to  Kentucky." — By  this  advertife- 
mcnt  there  are  offered  to  file,  "  25,000  acres  of  land,  fituated 
'*  in  the  county  of  Northampton,  State  of  Pennfylvani?,  upon 
"  the  Delaware.— A  public  road,  a  navigable  river,  fertile  foil, 
**  excellent  for  culture— meadows— places  for  mills— great  fo- 
"  refts — plenty  of  fifh-ponds,  &c.  at  half  a  guinea  an  acre. 

"  Another  quantity  of  25,000  acres,  upon  the  Sufquehannah, 
'*  with  equal  and  even  greater  advantages,  at  the  fame  price.— 
*' Good  title  deeds, — facilities  of  payment. — A  referve  of  three 
'*  hundred  acres  only  will  be  required  in  each  diftricl  for  the 
'*  maintenance  of  the  clergyman  of  the  parifh  ;— one  hundred 
"guineas  when  there  fhall  be  fifty  farnilie?,  to  build  a  parfonage 
"  houfe — ten  guineas  a  year  for  five  years,  and  provifion  fer 
"  the 


UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA.  £7 

confiderable,*  and  may  become  {till  more  fo,  as  the 
caufe  which  occasions  it  muit  naturally  become  more 
extended. 

What  is  the  catife?  It  has  already  been  intimated 
fo  as  to  be  fore  fee  n. 

Cities  are  built  in  all  quarters  ;f  lands  are  cleared 
and  efhblifhments  made  every  wliere.  In  the  ilate 
of  Kentucky,  for  inffonce,  where,  in  1771,  there 
were  fcarcely  one  hundred  inhabitants,  there  are  now 
nearly  thirty  thoufand;  and  thefe  men  have  emigrat 
ed  from  inhabited  courts  or  countries.  Thus  hands 
are  taken  from  the  commerce  and  agriculture  of  thefo 
laft,  which  is  confequently  the  caufe  of  the  increaf- 
ed  price  of  workmanship. 

From  this  dearnefs  it  has  been  concluded  in  Eu 
rope,  that  the  people  in  America  were  wretched;  a 
contrary  conclufion  ought  to  have  been  drawn. 
Wherever  workmen  govern;  wherever  they  are  paid 
a  high  price,  the  people  are  neceflarily  happy;  for 
if  ';»  of  them  that  the  various  claiTes  of  workmen  are 
competed. 

On  the  contrary,  wherever  workmanftiip  is  at  a 
low  price,  the  people  are  wretched;  for  this  cheap- 
nefs  proves  that  there  are  more  workmen  than  there 
is  work  to  execute,  more  want  of  employ  than  can 
be  fupplied.  This  is  what  the  rich  denre,  that  they 
may  govern  the  workmen,  and  buy  the  fweat  of  their 
brows  at  the  loweft  rate  poflible.J 

It 

*  Three,  four  and  five  llvres  are  frequently  paid  in  the  cities 
of  the  United  States  for  the  day's  work  of  a  carpenter,  black- 
fmith,  &c. 

f  This  Is  a  great  evil,  as  will  be  hereafter  proved,  and 
\vbich  will  contribute  more  than  any  olher  to  the  ruin  of  re 
publican  fpirit. 

J  To  be  convinced  of  this  truth,  look  at  England  and  France  $ 
workmanihip  is  very  dear  in  London  but  cheap  in  Paris.  The 
workman  in  London  is  well  fed,  clothed  and  paid  j  in  Paris  he 
is  quite  the  contrary. 

"  It  frequently  happens,"  faid  an  American  one  day  to  me, 
4<  that  I  meet  in  the  United  States  a  ploughman,  conducting  his 


5  ON   THE  COMNfERCE   OF  THE 

It  is  the  reverfe  in  America,  the  workman  gives' 
the  law,  and  fo  much  the.  better,  he  receives  it  too 
often  every  where  elfe. 

This  dearnefs  of  workmanfhip  is  prejudicial  to 
manufactures,  and  ftill  fo  much  the  better.  Thefe 
eftablifhments  are  fo  many  tombs  which  fwallow  up 
generations  entire.*  Agriculture,  on  the  contrary, 
perpetually  increafes  population. 

By  preventing,  or  at  leaf!  retarding  the  rife  of  ma 
nufactures  within  their  provinces,  the  Americans 
will  flop  the  decadency  of  morals  and  public  fpirit :. 
for  if  manufactures  bring  gold  into  the  Slates,  they 
bring  at  the  fame  time  a  poifon  which  undermines 
them.  They  refemble  a  number  of  individuals  whofe 
mature  and  morals  are  at  once  corrupted  :  they  form 
and  aceuflom  men  to  fervitude,  and  give  in  a  repub 
lic  a  preponderance  to  ariftocrstical  principles,  and 
by  accumulating  riches  in  a  fmali  number  of  hands, 
they  caufe  republics  to  incline  to  ariftocracy. 

Therefore  the  independent  Americans  will  *> 
wifely  to  leave  to  Europe  the  care  of  manufacturing 
for  them,  becaufe  fhe  is  irrefiftibly  dragged  into  ma 
nufactures;  and  as  their  population  and  confumption 
mufl  rapidly  increafe,  it  is  not  impofiible  that  Eu 
rope  ir.ay  one  day  confine  herfelf  to  this  kind  of  oc 
cupation,  and  that  America  may  one  day  become 
Ler  ftorehoufe  of  grain  and  raw  materials,  of  which 
file  will  not  be  in  need.  In  this  cafe  nothing  will 

be 

<l  plough  and  horfes,  and  eating  a  wing  of  a  turkey  and  a  piece 
tf  of  good  white  bread.  I  have  feen,"  added  he,  "  a  v-ifiei  arr'.ve 
*'  at  New-York,  full  or"  Scotchmen,  not  one  of  whom  was  un- 
i(  employed  the  next  day." 

-'  There   are  feveral  manufactures  at    Am'ent,   and  it  is  re- 
mavked,  that   the  hofpitals  are  more  fried  with  r  .iaufac 
than   with   mafons  or  other  like   artizan.c.      /.  manufaufVuring 
life  makes  more  people  ill  and  their  ccmpl-ints  rn.ite  dangerous  j 
jt  is  bccaufe  thi;  kind  of  workmen  becomes  *  jched, 

and  g->ei  fooner  to  the  ru  %'tal,  being  moftl)  l~ :  ,  Uhoui 

srjy  coau'-rtic  attachment. 


UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA.  59 

be  feen  in  Europe  but  cities  and  vvorkftiops;  in  inde 
pendent  America  nothing  but  fields  well  cultivated. 
I  will  leave  it  to  be  decided  which  country  would 
have  the  moil  happy  fate. 

Under  the  fame  point  of  view,  the  independent 
Americans  will  ftiil  aft  wifely  by  leaving  it  to  the 
Europeans  to  furniih  them  with  nece(Tary  articles  ; 
and  in  feldom  frequenting  the  cities  and  fea-porrs  of 
the  ancient  co-innent.  In  effect,  an  European 
tnmfpcrted  to  independent  America  is  in  the  pro 
portion  of  one  to  one  hundred,  and  forr.etimes  to  a 
thoufand. — H!s  example  has  therefore  but  very  little 
influence ;  the  luxury  of  which  he  makes  a  parade 
in  palling  by,  excites  lers  consideration  or  refpedt 
than  contempt  and  ridicule.  If  he  leaves  a  remem 
brance  of  himfelf,  it  is  foon  effaced  by  the  general 
motion :  there  are,  moreover,  fome  Europeans, 
who,  ftruck  and  edified  by  the  manners  and  cuf- 
toms  of  free  America,  have  good  fenfe  enough  to 
-refpeft  and  conform  themfelves  to  them. 

It  is  the  reverie  when  an  American  goes  on  fhore 
in  Europe,  almoft  alone,  with  his  fimplicity  of  man 
ners  in  the  midft  of  a  vortex  of  men  who  efteem  the 
eclat  of  exterior  appearance  only;  who,  agitated  and 
led  by  the  general  ton,  facrifice  every  thing  to  the 
furor  of  making  a  great  figure  by  the  brilliance  of 
drefs,  equipage,  and  pomp:  this  American  muft  at 
hrft  be  torn  down  and  tormented,  becaufe  he  finds 
himfelf  thrown  into  a  circle  of  habitudes  contrary 
to  his  own.  Afterwards  he  becomes  familiarifed  by 
little  and  little,  and  if  he  does  not  quite  get  a  tafle 
for  them,  at  leaft  his  attachment  to  a  fimplicity  of 
life  and  manners  is  neceflarily  weakened.  Carrying 
back  with  him  to  his  own  country  this  difpofition  of 
rnind,  he  introduces  it  infenfibly  into  the  minds  of 
thofe  who  are  about  him,  upon  which  it  has  fome  in 
fluence — upon  the  minds  of  his  children  and  friends. 
Their  tafte  for  fimplicity  becomes  lukewarm  by  his 

exampla> 


<O  ON  THE  COMMERCE   OP  TUB 

•example,  and  the  following  age  lees  public  virtues 
fall  into  indifference. 

It  will  belefs  dangerous  to  the  public  fpirit  of  the 
independent  Americans  to  admit  the  Europeans  into 
the  United  States,  than  to  go  themfelves  into  Europe^ 
from  which  it  refults  that  it  would  be  very  impolitic 
to  encourage  the  former  to  become  the  carriers  of 
their  exterior  commerce. 

I  have  infilled  upon  this  reflection  becaufe  there 
feems  to  have  appeared  in  fome  States  a  difpcfition 
to  give  premiums  for  diftant  navigation.  They 
ought  to  reflect,  that  they  have  but  few  hands,  and 
that  as  few  as  poffible  fhould  be  taken  from  culture. 
They  are  in  the  fituation  I  have  fpoken  of  in  my 
principles  of  exterior  commerce,  where  a  nation 
gains  by  making  carriers  of  others  having  lefs  foil  or 
employ.  They  fhould  alfo  recollect,  that  republi 
can  morals  are  better  preferved  in  the  bofom  of  agri 
culture  than  upon  the  fea  and  in  foreign  voyages, 
which  give  to  men  communications  with  other  mo 
rals  and  governments, 

It  is  a  general  quefiion  in  the  United  States,  by 
what  means  it  is  poflible  to  put  bounds  to  exterior 
•commerce,  and  flop  the  progrefs  of  luxury  :  flay  at 
home, — cultivate,  cultivate,  I  will  repeat  to  them  ; 
this  is  the  fecret  whereby  yow  will  prevent  the  in- 
creafe  of  luxury;  a  fecret  much  preferable  to  fump- 
tuary  laws  and  prohibitory  regulations,  which  fome 
flates  have  it  in  contemplation  to  make. 

There  is  no  power  great  enough  to  fet,  by  regula 
tions,  fuch  boundaries  to  exterior  commerce  as  will 
not  be  exceeded  :  to  circumfcribe  it,  for  inflance,  to 
merchandizes  of  convenience,  without  the  importa 
tion  of  thofe  of  luxury.  The  nature  or  force  of 
things  only  has  fuch  a  power.  That  force  has,  as 
has  been  before  explained,  the  union  of  the  natural 
circumftancesof  a  nation  ;  thefe  circum fiances  alone 
mark  the  limits  of  commerce.  A  nation  which 

cannot 


UNITED-STATES  OF   AMERICA,  &T  , 

cannot  pay  for  luxuries  with  its  own  production  j* 
does  not  purchafe  them.  The  iuvage  cm  OIM  pro-  • 
cure  with  his  furs,  brandy,  gunpowder,  and  woollen- 
coverings ;  tie  buys  neither  filks  nor  laces. 

If,  therefore,  the  productions  of  the  United  States 
be  icarcely  fufficient  to  pay  for  the  importations  of  • 
necetfity  and  convenience  from  Europe,  merchan-- 
dizes  of  luxury  will   not  be  imported:  if  thefe  be 
carried  to  it,  'tis  becaufe  it  can  pay  for  them.    There 
is  no  merchant  who  likts  to  ruin  himfelf. 

If,  on  the  contrary,  the  United  States  have  pro-  • 
duclions  proper  for  the  ancient  continent,  in  quan- 
titles  fufficient  to  procure,  by  their  exchange,  not 
only  the  mofl  neceilary  and  convenient  things,  but 
even  thofe  of  'luxury,  nothing  can  hinder  the  latter 
from  being  fooner  or  later  imported,  by  means  of 
exterior  commerce. 

In  truth,  to  increafe  demands  of  this  nature,  the 
public  opinion,  which  before  treated  cpprobrioufly 
a  tafte  for  modes,  m.ufl  totally  change,  and  the  par 
ticular  opinions  of  certain  feels  equally  yield  to  it. 

But  notwithstanding  the  powerful  influence  of 
opinion  upon  merchandizes  of  luxury,  the  fate  of 
this  kind  of  commerce  will  be  more  particularly  de 
termined  by  the  flute  of  the  independent  Americans, 
for  when  rich  they  will  adopt  them.  This  fact"  will 
appear  certain,  jf  what  has  been  faid  on  the  natui-c 
of  the  human  heart  be  recollected,  and  its  inclina 
tion  to  improve  man's  fituation,  and  to  increafe  his 
enjoyments. 

Tafte  for  a  rural  life  alone,  if  the  Americans  pre- 
ferve  it,  will  retard  the  progrefs  of  luxury,  which 
fprings  up  in  cities,  from  fatiery,  want  of  fometlring 
to  do,  and  from  laffitude:  employment  prcferves  the 
country  from  thofe  moral  iiis. 

There  is  one  laft  confederation,   which  ought  to. 
perfuade    the    independent   Americans  to  employ 
ihemfelves  in  cultivation,  a'nd' reject  both  manufac- 
G  turea 


z  ON  THE  COMMERCE  OF  TH* 

tures  and  exterior  tranfports ;  which  is,  that  in  wifli- 
ing  to  undertake  every  thing  at  once,  the  fcarcity  of 
money,  necefTary  at  leaft  for  the  mechanical  part  of 
thefe  operations,  will  always  be  more  perceived, 
whilft,  by  giving  themfelves  up  entirely  to  cultiva 
tion,  they  will  procure  from  their  foil  productions 
fufficient  to  pay  for  thefe  manufactures  from  Europe, 
and  to  make  up  for  the  fcarcity  of  coin.* 

They  appear  to  be  alarmed  at  this;  what  has  been 
faid  upon  the  fubje£l  of  money  ought  to  remove  their 
fears.  It  has  been  demonftrated  that  a  nation  may 
carry  on  a  very  confiderable  commerce  without  its 
aid.  It  will  hereafter  be  feen  that  the  United  States 
produce  many  raw  materials  eflentially  neceflary  to 

France, 

*  The  independent  Americans  have  but  little  money  ;  this 
fcarcity  arifes  from  two  caufes }  firft,  from  the  kind  of  ccm- 
inerce  they  heretofore  carried  on  with  England,  and  afterwards 
from  the  ravages  of  a  feven  years  war.  As  this  commerce  was 
purely  one  of  exchange,  and  that  in  certain  dates,  as  Virginia, 
the  importations  always  furpafied  the  exportation?;  the  refult 
was,  that  they  could  not  but  be  debtois  to  England,  and  could 
BOt  draw  money  from  that  ifland. 

It  was  a  kind  of  commercial  fervitude,  which  the  EngM/h 
looked  upon  as  the  pledge  and  guarantee  of  the  dependence  of 
the  Colonies  upon  the  mother  countryo 

The  money  they  had  came  from  their  illicit  commerce  with 
tb>-  Sugar  Iflands  and  European  powers.  The  war,  afterwards, 
by  changing  labouiers  into  f</!dieis,  caufed  apart  of  their  lands 
to  remain  without  cultivation.  -From  that  time  exchanges  in- 
creafed  and  money  decreafed,  The  little  of  it  remaining  In 
America,  came  firft  from  money  earned  and  expended  there  by 
the  Englifti  and  French  armies,  and  afterwards  by  the  loans  ne- 
goc'ated  in  Eu-ope  by  Corgrefs. 

But  it  iseafy  to  conceive,  after  what  has  been  faid  upon  the 
quantity  of  coin,  how  a  nation,  which,  by  an  extraordinary 
revoiu'icn,  is  all  at  once  widely  developed,  its  population  ra 
pidly  ircreaffd,  and  h  thereby  <  bliged  to  continual  advances, 
for  clearing  of  land)-,  for  building,  making  of  roads  and  canals, 
to  pay  foreign  debts,  rm  ftly  in  fpec'>f,  and  which  has  no  mines, 
mi'ft  fe.fi  the  fcarci'y  of  money,  and  the  reafon  of  it  is  clear: 
the  w?.nt  of  it  is  at  prtfent  fispplicd,  in  Connecticut,  by  an  «- 
commodities,  or  thclcagainft  labour. 


UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA.  6$ 

France,  and  that  (he  can  make  their  exports  with 
greater  advantage  than  thofe  of  any  other  country. 

Thus  it  appears  that  thefe  two  countries  may  carry 
on  together  a  direct  trade  of  exchange  without  mo 
ney,  confequently  an  advantageous  one;  for  the  ex 
change  between  them  of  productions  is  more  lucra 
tive  than  an  exchange  of  productions  for  money; 
-although  this  opinion  may  not  be  adopted  by  men  io. 
general,  who  attach  a  greater  price  to  gold  than  to 
merchandize,  and  continually  forget  its  reprefenta- 
five  value,  to  fubftitute  for  it  a  real  one.  It  muftbe 
incefiantly  repeated  to  them  that  money  would  be 
abfolutely  nothing  without  productions;  that  a  rich 
people  is  that  which,  by  its  induftry,  increaies  po 
pulation,  and  has  confequently  an  abundance  of 
productions;  that  the  fecret  of  increafing  the  quan 
tity  of  coin  confifts  only  in  the  art  of  multiplying 
necefTary  productions,  and  it  is  this  to  which  the 
United  States  ought  to  incline,  without  being  anxious 
about  the  money  which  they  may  have  at  prefent  or 
in  future. 

Let  us  refume  the  different  queftions  contained  in 
this  chapter. 

My  object  has  been  to  make  it  appear  that  the 
United  States  were  forced  by  their  necefiity  and  cir- 
cumftances  to  engage  in  exterior  commerce. 

To  convince  my  readers  of  this,  I  have  proved 
that  the  independent  Americans  had  wants  of  ne- 
ceflity,  of  convenience,  and  even  fome  of  luxury, 
which  they  could  neither  renounce  nor  fupply  them- 
felves  with. 

That  having  no  manufactures  of  their  own,  they 
were  obliged  to  have  recourfe  to  thofe  of  Europe: 
that  they  could  eftablifh  none  for  a  long  time,  having 
but  fc\v  hands,  and  that  cultivation  ought  to  employ 
all  their  cares. 

That  according  to  phyfical,  political,  and  moral 

relations,  they  ought  to  perfevcre  in  applying  them- 

G  2  felves 


64  ON  THE  COMMENCE   OF  THR 

felves   to  agriculture  alone,  and  even   give  up   nif* 
thoughts  of  tranfporting  to  Europe,  by  their  ow?i 
hieans,  their  proper  productions.  * 

That  this  was  the  cnlv  means  of  preferving  their 
republican  moral*,  and  of  retarding  the .  progrefs  of 
luxury. 

In  fine,  that  by  engaging;  in  agriculture,  and  re* 
glefting  manufactures,  th?y  will  iefs  perceive  the 
want  of  money,  and  will  find  the  means  of  fup- 
piying  that  want,  and  of  carrying  on  a  very  advan 
tageous  extern,  ;ce  of  exchange  of  commo* 

":  points  being  firmly  eflablifhed,   it" 

is  at  •  .ccifary  to  pro--  all  the  nations 

oi:  Europe,  France  is   tj  roper  to  enter  into 

n  commercial  alliance  'with  the  United  States,  and 

that  their  neceilities  and  productions,  are  correfpon-. 

dent  to  each  other.     It  is  propofed  to  lay  open  this 

..   tv  prefenting   the  double  table  of  reciprocal 

and  exportations,.  to  be  made  between? 

America. 


CHAPTER  V. 

Of  the   fmporf/itlon   to   he   made  from    France  into    the 

UaitfJ  .SV.7/ij,   cr  (f  t/.c  M'tints  of  the  United  Sfafes9. 

.  and  the  Productions  ff  France  ivhich  ccrreffon  a  thereto.. 

rp 

JL  HE  attentive  reader  will  have  already  been  able 
to  judge.  the  independent   Americans    do 

not  deviate  from  the  career  which  is  open  to  them, 
Europe  will,  for  a  long  time,  have  to  furnifh  them 
with  manufaclured  merchandize.  It  has  been  made 
to  appear,  that  the  clearing  and  cultivation  of  lands, 
and  all  that  relates  to  interior  commerce,  fuch  as 
roads  and  canals,  offered  to  their  intfuftry  the  rnoft 

favourable 


UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA.  6$ 

favourable  and  ufeful  employ,  efpecially  whilft  irn- 
pofts  do  not  reftrain  their  movements,  and  that  a 
free  conftitution  equally  honours  every  individual. 

It  is  now  neceflary  to  take  a  curfory  view  of  their 
wants,  and  to  point  out  thofe  articles  with  which 
France  may  pretend  to  furnifli  them  in  competition 
with  other  nations,  if  even  (he  cannot  do  it  more 
advantageoufly  than  her  rivals.  I  will  follow,  in 
this  enumeration,  the  Englifh  publications  which 
have  treated  upon  the  matter,  and  particularly  that 
of  Lord  Sheffield:  he  has  omitted  nothing,  becaulc 
his  country  pretends  to  furnifli  every  thing.* 

SECTION  I. 

Wines. 

Wine  becomes  a  real  want  of  thofe  who  have 
once  been  acquainted  with  it.  Happy  or  miferable, 
rich  or  poor,  every  body  makes  ufe  of  wine.  Wine 
is  the  delight  of  the  happy  or  of  the  rich:  it  helps 
the  unfortunate  to  fupport  his  forrow;  the  poor 
think  they  find  it  an  equivalent  for  the  food  they  are 
without. 

Eafe  has  lately  been  too  general  in  the  United 
States,  not  to  have  introduced  the  ufe  of  wine  ;  and 
futurity,  by  augmenting  their  means,  will  only  in- 
creafe  their  want  of  this  liquor. 

The  wines  which  were  moft  generally  confumed 
in  the  United  States,  were,  as  in  England,  Oporto, 
Madeira,  and  fome  from  Spain.  French  wines, 
charged  as  in  Britain,  with  enormous  duties,  were 
introduced  by  contraband  only. 

Liberty  has  caufed  thofe  Britannic  ihackles  to  dif- 
G  3  appear. 

*  I  will  not  defcend  to  the  m'nutia  his  Lordflilp  has  done, 
but  1  will  prove,  in  every  important  article,  the  French,  if 
they  know  how  to  profit  by  their  natural  advantages,  muft  ob- 
Uia  a  preference. 


66  ON  THE  COMMERCE  OF  THK 

appear.     French  wines  are  freely  imported  into  the 
United  States,  and  pay  but  little  duty. 

Such  is  the  ftate  of  things,  and  it  ic-ads  mt  to  the 
dicuiiion  of  three  queftions: 

Does  it  fait  the  United  States  to  cultivate  vines, 
and  to  make  wine? 

Ought  they  not,  in  renouncing  this  cultivation, 
to  give  the  preference  to  French  wines? 

And  what  means  ought  the  French  to  ufe,  in  order 
to  obtain  and  preierve  this  preference? 

It  would  be  abfurd  to  deny  that  the  United  States 
can  produce  wine,  becaufe  the  experiments  hitherto 
made  have  been  fruitlefs.  Extended  as  they  are,  and 
having  countries  as  fouthern  as  Europe,  it  is  im- 
poflible  there  (hould  not  be}  in  many  places,  a  foil 
proper  for  the  vine. 

The  little  fuccefs  of  attempts  may  therefore^ 
without  hazarding  too  much,  be  attributed  either  to 
the  ignorance  of  the  cultivator,  his  want  of  perfe- 
veranct:,  or  a  bad  choice  of  plants. 

Kqwever  that  may  be,  if  the  Americans  will 
hearken  to  the  counfels  of  able  obferve^s,  and  reap 
advantage  from  the  errors  of  other  nations,  they 
will  carefully  avoid  the  cultivation  of  vines.  In 
every  country  where  they  have  been  cultivated,  for 
one  rich  man,  they  have  made  a  number  wretched. 

The  long  and  confuierable  advances  which  vines 
require,  the  preparation,  prefervation,  and  fale  of 
their  produce,  have  put  all  the  good  vineyard  plots 
into  the  hands  of  rich  people,  who  not  cultivating 
thefe  themfelves,  pay  the  real  cultivator  very  badly. 
The  falary  of  the  wretched  vine-drefler  is  every 
where  inevitably  fixed;  the  time  he  does  not  work 
not  being  calculated,  and  few  wine  countries  offer 
any  employ  by  which  tofl  time  may  be  filled  up;  and 
otherwife,  the  variations  in  the  prices  of  the  moft 
Beceflary  commodities  occafioned  by  a  thoufand 

caufes, 


UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA.  6/" 

caufes,  by  theabun  nee  •  even  icarcity  of  wine,, 
are  not  confidered  lor  him. 

Would  it  be  bdieved,  that  ab-indance  is  t'<e  mofi: 
u*  <  . '-f'.uiate  thi.ta;  that  can  happen,  either  to  t..j  p'o- 
pr.  ir  or  ir,c  vine-drefler?  In  faft,  the  expense  of 
gathering  au;jnients,  and  the  once  of  the  fhing  di- 
roi niches.  Ti)«jre  is  more  work  to  be  done,  more 
hands  are  neceflary.  and  they  are  paid  more  .vages; 
more  hogfheads  are  wanted,  the  expt:nces  of  carriage 
greater,  more  fpace  h  required,  the  fale  is  lefs,  and 
confeqiientiy  the  income.* 

The  fcarcity  of  wines,  or  the  fteriiity  of  the  vine 
yard,  is  perhaps  lefs  unfortunate  than  the  abunuance, 
at  lead  to  the  proprietor.  But  it  is  cruelly  felt  by 
the  vine-drefler,  and  thofe  wandering  troops  of  day 
labourers,  whom  the  ingratitude  of  their  foil,  or  a 
bad  government,  forces  to  go  from  home  in  learch 
of  employ. 

The  numerous  variations  which  have  an  influence 
upon  the  produce  of  the  vineyard,  make  it  very  in 
convenient  property,  and  triflingly  advantageous. -(- 

The 

*  The  day's  work  of  a  vintager  vanes  according  to  th«  fcarcity 
or  abun  lance  of  wins,  from  fix  to  fifty  fols.  The  price  of 
hog/heads  has  likewife  variations  in  a  different  price,  from 
three  to  fifteen  livres.  There  are  years  wherein  the  pries  of 
the  hogfhe  id  is  higher  tlurs  i.hst  of  the  wine  which  it  contains. 

The  proprietor  who  eftabliftss  his  expences  upon  hio  reve 
nues,  is  every  year  deceived  by  thofe  of  the  vineyarJ.  In  one 
year  he  receives  at  the  rate  of  20  for  too ;  the  fecond  year  his 
vinevard  is  perhaps  neltroyeJ  by  hail  ;  the  third  he  is  expofed 
to  bankrupcyj  or  to  fufFer  by  it,  or  his  wines  tuin  four  5  the 
fourth  he  may  have  but  a  moderate  produce,  which  will  net 
compenfate  for  his  preceding  lofTes.  In  ten  years  time,  a  pro 
prietor  would  fcarcely  find  an  average  year  which  was  tolerably 
good  ;  yet,  as  men  love  to  exaggerate  their  riches  and  means, 
each  proprietor  calculates  his  revenue  upon  the  higheft  produce 
that  his  vineyard  has  ever  yielded:  the  greateit  pa?t  of  them 
fpend  in  confeq'ience,  and  are  ruined. 

f  It  is  a  proverb  in  France,  that  there  is  no  property  woife 
conditioned  than  that  of  the  vineyard. 


6$  ON  THE  COMMERCE   OF  THE 

The  return  muft  be  waited  for  when  much  has-been 
gathered;  payments  mufl  be  made  when  there  has 
been  but  little.  The  proprietor  muft  therefore  have 
other  refources,  whether  it  be  to  wait  or  to  pay. 
The  vine-drefler,  unhappy  enough  to  have  a  pro 
perty,*  without  any  of  thefe  refources,  ruins  him- 
felf  fooner  or  later.  He  is  obliged  to  fell  at  a  low 
price,  f  or  to  confume  his  wines  himfelf ;  thence  re- 
fults  his  ftupidity  and  idlenefs,  his  diicouragement, 
his  dull  and  quarrelfome  humour,  and  efpecially  the 
ruin  of  his  health.  Too  much  wine  in  the  time 
of  abundance,  no  bread  in  that  of  fcarcity;  thefe 
are  the  two  alternatives  which  divide  his  life. 

Therefore  countries  covered  with  vineyards  are 
generally  lefs  peopled,  and  prefent  a  picture  of  a  de 
generated,  weak,  and  wretched  population.  For  the 
moft  part  they  want  hands  to  cultivate  the  vineyard 
in  a  feafon  when  work  cannot  be  delayed.  It  is 
done  by  theie  bands  of  ftrangers,  of  whom  I  have 

already 

*  The  Situation  of  a  vine-diefler  is  different  according  to  the 
cuftom  of  countries.  In  fome  he  is  hired  only  by  the  day,  and 
there  he  is  completely  wretched.  In  others,  as  in  Switzerland, 
he  has  half  of  the  produce.  But  an  unjuft  and  tyrannical  tax, 
laid  on  by  the  proprietors  themfelves,  reduces  this  half  to  a 
quarter  part. 

f  Such  is  nearly  the  fituation  of  moft  of  the  vine-dieffera 
of  AON  is,  who  are  proprietors.  They  are  at  the  mercy  of  the 
rich  farmers  of  that  country.  When  winter  comes,  the  vine- 
drefTer  has  neither  bread  nor  money.  He  goes  to  the  farmer, 
afks  him  for  both :  the  farmer  fays  I  will  accommodate  you> 
give  me  your  note.  The  bufhel  of  wheat  is  worth  fix  livres, 
oblige  yourfelf  to  return  me,  at  a  certain  epocha^  the  quanti 
ty  of  wheat  which  lhall  be  fold  for  fix  livres.  He  always  takes 
care  to  fix  the  time  when  corn  is  at  a  low  price.  The  obliga- 
tion  is  pafled,  the  moment  of  payment  arrives  j  the  vine-dreffer, 
who  has  corn,  gives  more  than  he  has  received.  If  he  has  none, 
he  is  ftill  more  embanafled  ;  the  farmer  prefTes  him — you  have 
wine,  fays  he,  fell  it  me.  But  at  what  price  ?  The  farmer  of 
fers  a  very  low  one.  It  is  refufed— he  threatens— the  poor  vine- 
drefier  is  obliged  to  ruin  himfelf,  and  this  fcene  is  annually 
repeated. 


T1KITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA. 

already    fpoken,  and  who  come  to  fell   fome  days 
work  to  the  poor  vine-atelier. 

The  cultivation  of  a  vineyard  cannot  be  better 
compared  than  to  thofe  manufactures-,  of  which  the 
hopes  of  fuccefs  are  founded  upon  the  low  price  of 
workrnanfhip,  arid  which  enrich  none  but  the  under 
takers,  and  retailers  or  fl-ioi  kct'rer,;. 

The  pernicious  influence  of  the  vine  is  extended, 
in  wine  countries,  to  even  thofe  who  do  not  cultivate 
it;  for  the  cheapnefs  of  wine  kids' to  excefle?,  and 
confbqucntly  it  becomes  a  poiion  for  all  r?nks  of- 
fociety,  for  thofe  efpecially  who  find  in  it  a  means  of 
forgetting  their  ibrrows. 

Therefore,  as  I  have  already  remarked,  indulhy 
carefully  avoids  theie  dangerous  vineyard  plots.  None 
of  the  great  manufactures,  whofe  fuccefs  is  the  con— 
fequence  of  order,  afliduity,  and  labour,  are  feen  in 
die  neighbourhood  of  them. 

The"  refult   of  all  thefe  obfervations  is,  that  the" 
Americans  ought  to  profcribe  the  cultivation  of  the 
vine. 

It  would  infallibly  render  miferable  that  clafs  of 
fociety  which  (liould  apply  itfelf  to  it,  and  in  a  re 
public  there  fhould  be  none  who  are  wretched,  be- 
caufe  want  obliges  them  to  difturb  civil  order,  or, 
\vhat  is  worfe,  becaufe  they  are  at  the  command  of 
the  rich,  by  whom  they  are  paid,  and  who  may  make 
ufe  of  them  to  deftroy  republicanifm.* 

Confidered  with  refpecl  to  the  proprietors,  the 
vine  ought  ftill  to  be  profcribed  by  the  United  States; 
becaufe  every  profeffion  or  calling,  fufceptible  oi 
r.oo  great  a  variation  of  fortune,  which  fometimes 
heaps  up  riches  to  one  perfon,  and  at  other  reduces 
to  indigence  individuals  in  eafy  circumilances,  ought 

carefully 

*  The  mean  language  of  ftiopkeepers,  who  humbly  offer 
their  merchandize,  has  already  begun  to  find  its  way  into  th.v 
American  papers. 


7<$  OX  THE  COMMERCE  OF  THE1 

carefully  to  be  avoided. — Economy,  (implicit)',  pri 
vate  virtues,  are  not  attached  to  fuch  changeablenefs. 

They  are  found  in  the  bofom  of  mediocrity  only, 
from  cafincfs  of  circumftances,  founded  upon  that 
kind  of  toil  whofe  produce  is  conftant.*  Such  is 
that  of  agriculture  in  general ;  it  embraces  divers 
productions,  which,  in  cafe  of  accident,  replace 
each  other.-}* 

Finally,  if  if  be  infilled  that  xvine  is  necefiary  to 
man,  let  it  not  ftupify  him  ;  it  fhould  be  ufed  with 
moderation,  and  its  dearnefs  alone  may  oblige  men 
to  be  moderate  in  the  ufe  of  it.  It  being  greatly  the 
mtereft  of  the  American  Republics  to  remove  all 
excefTes  from  individuals,  in  order  to  prevent  this 
degeneracy,  they  ought  to  keep  perpetually  at  a  dif- 
tance  from  them  a  production,  whofe  dearnefs  will 
prevent  the  abuie  of  it,  whole  cultivation  would 
render  it  cheap,  and  confequently  bring  on  dangerous 
excefies  both  to  policy  and  morals.  + 

The  catalogue  which  I  havejuft  gone  over,  of  the 
evils  and  abufes  occafioned  by  the  culture  of  vine?, 
will  not  induce  the  French  to  pull  up  theirs.  But  it 
ought  at  lead  to  excite  them  to  increafe  in  foreign. 

markets 

*  The  Indians  arc  almoft  all  Cultivators  or  weavers,  which 
>s  the  reafon  why  private  morals  have  been  better  preferred 
*"i  or:g  thefe  people  than  any  where  e'fe,  in  fp':te  of  ihe  exceiles 
of  dffpot-fm. 

•\-  What  recompence  would  be  confiderable  enough  for  an  in- 
-cnious  man,  who  fhould  give  to  humanity  the  means  of  pre» 
fervmg  potatoes  for  levetai  years,  efpecially  if  the  procefs  vvcic 
fimple  a/jd  not  expenfive  ?  In  thet  cafe  want  woulii  be  no  longer 
feircd.  The  erabantairnacHt  about  the  Ifgifiation  of  coin  would 
aiJ':\rpear,  and  mifery  perhaps  be  driven  from  among  mm. 

£  It  will  be  o!  jt:fted,  that  men  employed  in  agriculture  have 
nted  of  wine  to  fupport  them  ia  thtir  labour.  This  is  but  aa 
opinion  :  there  are  found,  in  countries  where  it  i*  leaft  ufed, 
vigorous  and  indefatigable  men.  In  truth,  wine  contains  an 
adtUe  fpirit  whii  h  may  fupply  the  want  of  fubftantial  aliment, 
and  ir  is  f(-r  .his  reaf>n,  the  pejfants  h.ave  rec^infe  to  wine  or 
brandy,  which  is  more  wi'hi:i  their  reach.  Give  them  meat 
and  poutoes,  and  they  will  eaijly  do  without 


UNITED  STATES  OF   AMERICA.  JM 

markets  the  confumption  of  wines,  in  order  to  keep 
np  their  price,  and  confequently  to  diminifli  a  part 
of  the  evils  which  they  produce.  This  will  be 
doubly  advantageous,  by  an  additional  exterior  pro 
fit,  and  a  diminution  of  interior  ill.  Nobody  will 
deny  that  French  wines  muft  obtain  the  preference 
in  the  United  States.  They  are  the  moft  agreeable, 
the  moft  varied,  and  wholefome,  if  moderately  nfed; 
the  leaft  prejudicial,  if  ufed  to  excefs.  They  ought 
to  be  the  bafis  of  our  exportation  to  America;  no 
nation  can  raife  a  competition  with  us.  Lord  Shef 
field  himfelf  pays  this  homage  to  our  wines;  but  in 
order  to  affaire  to  them  this  advantage  for  ever,  the 
art  of  making,  preferving,  and  tranfporting  them 
muft  be  improved. 

In  general  we  are  at  prefent  far  from  this:*  igno 
rance,  old  prejudices,  difoouragement  of  the  people, 
import  on  exportation ;  all  concur  to  retard  the  pro- 
grefs  of  improvement. 

The  United  States  (thefe  Hates  of  fo  new  a  date) 
already  furnifh  us  the  model  of  an  inflitution,  which 
alone  would  encourage  the  culture  of  corn  and  vines, 

and 

*  I  will  quote,  for  inrr.ance,  the  wines  of  Provence,  which, 
by  their  ftrength,  ought  to  be  capable  of  fupporting  the  longeft 
voyages;  and  by  their  analogy  to  the  wine»  of  Portugal,  would 
have  the  greatefl  fuccefs  in  the  United  States,  if  they  were  pro- 
perly  prepared,  Thefe  wines  have  hitherto  been  in  the  loweft 
repute  in  the  North,  in  che  Indian  and  American  colonies;  and 
that  becaufe,  on  one  hand,  the  fitters  out  of  veflelg  brought 
them  without  choofing,  and  on  the  other,  the  individual  having 
no  idea  of  the  culture  of  vines,  nor  of  the  preparation  of  wine, 
jnixed  the  white  grape  with  the  red,  did  notdii.'ngmfh  the  plants, 
th«  foil,  nor  fituation  ;  cured  it  by  rote,  v/ithout  paying  atten 
tion  to  the  difference  of  years  and  qualities 5  put  into  his  tubs, 
to  give,  as  he  pretended,  a  higher  flavour  to  his  wine,  all  forts 
of  <ieteflab!e  ingredients,  fuch  as  fait,  lime,  pUifter,  and  pigeon's 
dung  j  put  it  into  bad  calks  of  chefnut-  tree  j  left  in  them  a  year's 
fediment,  and  never  drew  off  the  wine,  (j  that  it  was  slwav« 
more  inclined  to  turn  four  than  any  other  winej  and  therefore 
became  little  fit  for  a  foreign  voyage. 


<•  •  QX  THE  COMMERCE  OF 

and  make  the  momentary  inconvenience  of  abundant 
vintages,  which  ruin  the  proprietor  and  farmer, 
diiappear. 

This  inftitution,  eafy  to  be  naturalized  in  France,  , 
would  have  two  branches,  a  clepofit  in  the  public 
.magazines  of  the  productions  of  the  c^rth;  certificate 
or  billets  of  depolit  which  would  form  an  authentic 
title  for  the  difpofmg.jproj:rietor,  transferable  without 
formalities  at  the  current  price,  like  all  other  public 
effects. 

It  is  thus,  that  in  Virginia  means  have  been  found 
to  fupply  the  want  of  money,*  and  to  give  at  the 
time  of  reaping,  a  real  and. ufeful  value  to  tobacco, 
which,  without  that,  waiting  for  a  demand,  lies 
heavy  upon  the  proprietor. 

This  is  not  the  place  to  examine  this  idea  pro 
foundly,  neither  to  deftroy  the  objections  which  will 
be  made  againft  it.  This  project  may  constitute  the 
matter  of  a  memoir  by  itfelf.  I  give  here  nothing 
.inore  than  the  title. f 

People 

*  The  Virginians  have  given  another  example  which  proves 
Jiow  eafy  it  is  to  do  without  money.  Man'-  countries  near  to 
the  Ohio  hiving  none  of  it,  the  general  affembly  refolved,  they 
;'!»oula  pay  their  quota  of  imports  in  hemp  and  flax,  which  fhould 
be  deposited  in  the  public  magazines. 

•f-  If  it  were  wi£hed  that  this  project  fhould  fucceed,  it  would 
be  abfolutely  neceffary  to  put  away  all  pofiibility  of  an  abufe 
unpunifheo.  It  won  d  perhaps  be  neceffary,  that  government 
fhould  take  no  part  nor  have  any  influence  in  it.  This  precau 
tion  wi'l  be  exclaimed  againit  ;  but  let  us  once  more  caft  our  eyes 
upon  Ei. gland.  If  there  be  a  government  wpon  earth  whole  hands 
are  tied,  vvhofe  fte'ps  are  watched,  \vhofe  actions  are  brought  to 
ligh  ,  to  public  ceniure,  and,  confequently,  whcfe  fecret  attempts 
are  Jefs  to  be  feared  by  the  people,  .it  is  that  of  England.  See 
what  the  aftoniihing  Minifter,  who  ib  now  at  the  head  of  aff;  V") 
propofes  to  hinder  the  intervention  and  influence  of  the  Ertgiiih 
.government  in  the  new  plan  of  redemption  of  the  public  effects 
and  of  their  decreafe.  He  infifts,  that  the  commiffioners  who 
fhall  be  charged  with  it,  fhall  be  always  independent  of  govern 
ment}  that  they  ihall  be  public  agents,  and  that  no.force  fhall 


STATES  OF  AMERICA.  V j 

People  in  the  United  States  complain  of  an  abufe 
in  the  commerce  of  the  French  wines,  which  abufe 
it  is  of  importance  to  remedy  in  the  moft  fpeedy 
manner,  if  we  would  not  deltroy  the  commerce  in 
its  origin.  Illicit  commerce  produced  there  before 
the  revolution  good  Bourdeaux  wine,  becaufc  it  «• 
a  property  tf  fmuggiing  to  '-give  that  ^hich  is  of  fupcrlir 
cnality,  arid  at  a  chetiper  rate. 

Now,  fince  the  peace,  wines  fent  from  France 
have  not  been,  as  it  is  airerteci,  of  a  good  quality. 
It  is  impoffible  that  from  greedinefc  they  may  fome- 
times  have  been  adulterated.  But  this  tranfient 
abufe,  which  the  merchant  may  eafily  deftroy  when 
ever  he  pleafes,  by  choofing  in  the  United  States 
H  com- 

r?.'n  them  to  alien nte  from  Us  object  the  money  deftined  to 
<,>ay  off  or  ietien  the  public  debt. 

This   miniver  clearly  perceived,  that  the  confidence  of  the 

people  ought  to  be  gained    at  any  price,   for  tl*s  eftablifhment 

which  exifts  but  by   confidence;    and   that  in  i'uch  a  cafe,  the 

Vice  of  power  would  fignify  nothing  to  a  government  which, 

is  really  willing  to  prevent  abufes. 

The  advantages  refuking  from  a  plan  like  this  are  vifible. 
"T'ublic  depositories  woeld  fapply  the  defefi:  of  ability  in  thofe 
C'iuld  not  lay  up  the  productions  ol'  the  earth.  They 
w.iuld  prevent  fqnandering,  lolfer,  and  fcarcity,  and  eilablifh 
a  more  coriftant  uniformity  in  prices  as  well  as  in  quantities: 
want  of  confidence  would  at  firft  perhaps  hinder  the  ufe  of 
thefe  magazines,  caves,  or  cellars  of  chcfe  public  rei^rvoirs. 
But  this  would  not  long  be  the  cafe,  if  fmcerity,  order,  and 
econonfiy,  reigned  in  thefe  e'tabli/hments.  It  is  an  advantage 
which  might  have  been  procured  by  means  of  provincial  admi- 
niftrations,  and  which  porhaps  will  never  be  enjoyed  but  under 
iheir  aufpices» 

With  refpe<fl  to  the  6 1  L  i.  z  T  s,  or  NOT  i:  s  o  r  COMMODITIES 
OR  PRODUCTIONS,  it  i£  f^.cn  hyw  preatiy  they  would  increai'e 
'n:ition?l  riches,  how  qniclciy  the  mifery  of  the  pealahft  Wcrtjd 
difapjsear,  if  thefe  notes  circulated  as  value  in  commerce,  and 
if  the  vine-drelfiyr  could  change  hi?  note  of  depoiit  for  produc 
tions  of  which  he  was  in  nre-U  The  monopoly  of  rich  cukj* 
vators  'would  then  be  overcurned  ;  of  cultivators  who  futlc  up 
'the  whole  fubfiflence  of  the  vine-dreficr,  and,  by  avaricious 
advaaces.,  reduce^him  to  their  will. 


74  ON   THE  COMMERCE   OF  THE 

commiflioners  whofe  reputation  is  untouched;  thfs 
abufe,  I  fay,  ought  not  to  ftop  the  exportations  of 
France. — Wine,  if  it  be  good,  will  always  find  c.m- 
fumers. — Nothing  but  intelligence  and  iincerity  ar-e 
neceflkry  to  fucceed  in  this,  for  nature  has  done  the 
reft  for  France. 

The  Americans  prefer,  in  general,  the  wine  which 
is  carried  to  them  in  bottles,  becaufe  they  believe  it 
Jefs  fubjedk  to  become  iharp,  or  to  change  on  the 
voyage.  On  the  firft  .view.it  feems  advantageous  to 
France  to  furnifh  its  wines  \vith  this  envelope,  be 
caufe  it  is  a  new  opening  for  its  glafs-ware.  But  if 
It  be  recollected,  what  a  prodigious  quantity  of  com- 
buflibles  glafs  manufactures  require,  to  the  fenfible 
deitruction  of  forefts,  it  appears  imprudent  to  en 
courage  a  commerce  which  cannot  but  augment  it 
rapidly.  At  lead,  before  it  be  encouraged,  it  would 
be  necefTary  to  have  very  certain  accounts  of  the 
number  of  glafs  manufactories  in  the  kingdom,  of 
their  confumption  of  wood  and  charcoal,  of  their 
produce  and  exportation,  and,  finally,  of  c.ur  foreih 
and  mines. 

SECTION  IL 

Brandy. 

The  rapid  progrefs  lately  made  in  chymiftry  has 
difcovered,  in  moft  of  the  fruits  of  the  earth,  the 
faltsand  fpirits  which  conftitute  the  efTence  of  bran 
dy;  this  difcovery  has  been  turned  to  advantage; 
there  refill ts  from  it  a  confidernble  abatement  in  the 
price  of  that  liquor,  that  is  to  fay,  a  very  great  evil; 
this  proves,  by  the  way,  that  there  are  dlfroveries 
in  phyfics  which  mould  not  be  revealed  without 
having  firft  confidered  their  moral  and  political  ef- 
-fects,  and  having  indicated  to  government  the  means 
of  preventing  their  inconveniencies;  it  alfo  proves,, 

that 


(JN-ITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA.  75 

that  a  chymift  ought  not  to  be  a  chymift  only,  but 
a  politician  aifo. 

The  !  randies  of  France  are  generally  looked  upon 
as  the  be  it,  that;is  to  fay,  the  moft  delicate  and  leaft 
pernicious :  therefore  they  obtain  the  preference  with 
people  in  eafy  circumftances. 

A  great  deal  of  brandy  is  confumed  by  the  com 
mon  people;  but  this  is  counter-balanced  at  home- 
and  abroad  by  fpirits  drawn  from  grain,  fruit,  ov 
fugar. 

Rum,  which  is  produced  from  the  latter,  has  had, 
and  ever  will  have,  in  the  United  Stales,  the  pre* 
ference  over  our  brandies,  by  reafon  of  its  cheap* 
nefs.  The  American:),  efpecially  the  Bbftotirans, 
import  melafles  from  the  fugar  iilands,  and  diftil  it, 
and  independently  of  their  confumption,  they  re- 
fell  a  great  part  of  it  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  iamc 
Iilands,  who  cannot  diftil  it  for  want  of  combufiibles. 

Betide  rum,  the  Americans  make  ftrong  fpirits 
from  grain,  potatoes,  &c.  They  are  indebted  for 
this  to  the  Irifli  -and  Germans  who  have  gone  to 
fettle  in  the  United  States.  A  pernicious  preu-nt 
thofe  emigrants  have  made  them. 

In  Ireland  the  cheapnefs  of  fpirits  made  from 
grain  places  them  within  the  reach  of  the  poorefi 
man.  The  lowed  clafles  of  fociety  life  them  to  an 
incredible  excels;  and  this  excefs  contributes  not  a 
little  to  promote  that  quarrelfome  humour  which 
characterifes  thclriih,  '.j  plunge  them  into  ftupidity, 
and  hinder  them  from  riling  to  that  degree  of  prof- 
perlty  to  which  the  liberty  of  commerce  they  have 
lately  obtained  ought  to  carry  them. 

The  Americans  would  already  have  experienced 
a  part  of  that  degradation  of  which  the  exceffive  ufe 
of  ftrong  liquors  is  the  caufe,  if  they  were  not  almoft 
all  proprietors,  in  eafy  circumftances,  and  fathers  of 
families;  if  inftruclion  and  morals  were  not  rncr^ 
generally  propagated  among  them  than  among  any 
H  2  other 


76  QS  THE  COMMERCE  OF  TH* 

other  people;  and,  finally,  if  the  quick  and  co:Ai- 
tierable  profits  which  workmen  there  obtain  by  the 
high  price  of  workmanfliip,  did  not  give  them  a 
falutary  ambition  which  keeps  them  from  intem 
perance.* 

Thofe  of  the  United  States, f  where  the  people- 
have  gone  from  fimple  and  primitive  manners, 
where  luxury  begins  to  reign,  where  flavery  ftill 

exifts, 

*  The  temperance  of  the  Americans  proves,  THAT  A  MAN 
•is  HONEST  WHEN  HE  is  HAPPY.  He  is  neither  vicious  nor. 
criminal,  EXCEPT  WHEN  H£  is  WRETCHED.  What,  there 
fore,  is  the  firft  caufe  of  his  vices  and  crimes  ?  The  caufe  of 
his  wretchednefs.  The  genealogy  of  almoft  all  crimes  is— no 
property  or  want  of  employ— -caufe  of  wietchedneis  of  the  peo- 
jil'-— wretchednefs  the  caufe  of  crunkennefs — drunkennefs  the 
caufe  of  qaarreis,  of  idienefs,.of  nvfery,  of  thefts.  Thefts 
cavife  imprisonment  and  capital  puniihments. 

The  firft  link  only  to  which  a  defect  of  property  is  attached* 
remains  to  be  remarked.  It  is  not  necelTary  to  name.  it.  But 
it  aiifes  from  this  genealogy,  thut  in  the  adlual  order  of  things, 
the  people  being  drawn  into  vices  and  crimes,  are  lefs  culpable 
than  they  are  imagined ;  consequently  they  on^ht  not  to  be  fo 
feverely  punlihed,  and  that  governn.ent  fliould  fupprefs  too 
Jevere  paim.  This  truth  cannot  be  too  often  repeated,  and  it 
ought  to  be  joined  to  every  circumstance  when  opportunity  of 
fers,  feeing  that  the  lift  of  bloody  executions  is  every  where 
augmented,  and  that  narrow  minds,  which  ice  tlir  atrocity  only 
of  the  crime,  without  perceiving  its  csuife,  incelF.mtly  demand 
blood  for  expiation.  There  weuid  be  but  few  .  fcaffolds  if  none 
but  real  criminals  mounted  them. 

f  See  Smith's  Voyage  to  the  fo-  .hern  United  States,  where 
a.  defcription  of  the  life  of  the  Carolinians  is  given.  This  an-, 
thor  makes  it  appear,  that  they  drink  to  excefs  the  ftrongeft  li 
quors,  although  the  climate  be  extremely  hot.  By  this  they 
abridge  their  lives,  and  appear  o!d  in  the  flower  of  youth.  This 
is  one  of  the  caufes  of  the  mortality  among  the  Englifh  in  the 
Eaft-Indiesj  they  have  introduced  there  the  ufe  of  wines  r,nj 
ttrong  liquors,  and  they  are  victims  to  them,  TLe  Indians  nuke 
no  ufe  of  thefe,  and  live  to  a  great  age. 

In  quoting  Smith,  the  European  :e>:cers  ought  to  be  pu»-  on, 
their  guard  agdiflft  En^lifa  ^I'tiality,  which  rcigos  throughout 
tke  work. 


UNITED  STATES  O?   AMERICA.  77 

exifts,   are   daily  witnefles  to  the  ravages  caufed  by 
the  excellive  ufe  of  fpirits  made  from  grain.*' 

A  long  habit  is  difficult,  and  often  impoflible,  to 
fhake  off,  efpecially  when  it  procures  enjoyment.-. 
Therefore,  it  is  not  to  be  expected  that  the  Ameri 
cans  will  ever  renounce  the  ufe  of  thefc  liquors. 
The  philofopher  fighs  at  this;  commercial  nations, 
which  turn  to  profit  the  misfortunes  and  caprices  of 
mankind,  drive  to  take  .advantage  of  it.  France 
will  have  the  advantage,  f  if  fhe  can  reduce  the 
price  of  brandies  to  the  level  of  that  of  rum.  Go- 
'Vrvernment,  in  order  to  aim  at  this  point,  has  already 
perceived  the  neceffity  of  lowering  the  duties  on  the 
exportation  of  thefe  ipirits. 

But  ought  it  to  favour,  with  fo  much  complaifance, 
the  diftiltation  and  exportation  of  brandies?  I  do 
not  think  foj  this  new  opinion  feems  to  be  a  para 
dox;  it  will  ceafe  to  appear  fo,  when  it  ffeall  have 
been  examined  with  attention. 

The  diflillation  of  brandies  caufe  a  great  decay  of 
combuftjbles:  one  great  evil  in  a  country  wiere 
combuftibles  daily  become  more  rare 4 

H3  The 

*  Ail  brandies,  except  therefrom  fugar  and  wine,  are  perni 
cious,  efpecially  when  ne  v.  They  cannot  be  drank  without 
immediately  difordering  the  body.  The  moft  trifling  excefs  is 
fufficient  to  caufe  death. 

f  Lord  Sheffield  agrees  that  the  brandies  of  France  are  pre 
ferable  to  thofe  of.Spain  and  Portugal,  of  which  there  is  never- 
thelefs  feme  confumption  in  ihe  United  States. 

|  All  the  provinces  of  France,  thofe  even  to  which  nature  has 
refufed  the  means  of  tranfporting  their  wood  to  others,  feel  the 
fcarc'ty  of  this  article.  Lorrain  may  be  quoted  as  an  inftance. 
The  forefts  of  that  province  decay,  as  it  is  reported  in  the  prof- 
peclus  of  a  price  u-pon  pit-coal,  propofed  by  the  academy  of 
Naoci — the  dearnefs  of  wn-vi  is  exceflive  there.  The  caufe  of 
this  inconvenience  is  not  ciiilicuk  to  afiign  j  it  is  the  necdfary 
confequence  of  forges,  glafs-houfes,  falt-pits,  &c.  The  academy 
requires  pit-coal  to  be  fought  for,  to  ferveinftead  or  wood.  A 
more  firppie  means  would  be  to  deftroy  forges  and  glafs-.houfes> 
ani  to  get  iron  and  glafs  from  America. 


78  o\7  THL:  COMMERCE  OF  THE 

The  exportation  of  brandy  produces  but  little  to 
the  revenue.  To  encourage  this  article,  it  has  been 
neceflary  to  take  off  the  import,  which  at  prefent  is 
no  more  than  five  fols  per  hogfhead,  whilft  wine 
pays  a  duty  of  at  leaft  an  hundred  fols,  and  in  the 
Bordelois,  from  that  fum  to  twenty-eight  livres.* 

Government  ought  to  have  done  the  reverfe,  to 
have  reduced  the  duties  on  wines,  and  augmented 
(hofe  upon  brandies. 

The  exportation  of  brandies  is  prejudicial  to  the 
confumption  of  our  wines,  tor  it  is  the  ban's  of  all 
made  wines  in  countries  where  wine  is  not  produced. 
It  is  put  into  a  great  quantity  of  water;  to  which  are 
added  bay-berries,  every  where  to  be  found.  Wine 
brandies  are  indifpenfable  in  this  fabrication;  no 
other  can  fnpply.  their  place j  becaufe  they  only  can 
v,ive  to  artificial  wines  the  winy  tafte  which  is  eflen- 
tial  to  make  them  drinkable. 

What  immenfe  gain  to  ftrangers  in  this  prccefs — 
and  what  lofs  to  France!  A  barrel  of  brandy  which 
pays  a  triiinp;  duty  on  exportation,  whofe  tranfport 
cofts  but  little,  on  account  of  its  contracted  bulk, 
may  be  added  to  five  or  fix  barrels  of  water,  which 
rort  nothing,  and  by  the  aid  of  fugared  ingredients, 
which  give  colours,  may  enter  into  competition  with 
fix  barrels  of  wine,  that  pay  confiderable  duties  on 
exportation,  and  whofe  exportation  and  tranfport 
-are  very  expenfive. 

Therefore,  in  diftilling  and  exporting  brandies, 
we  work  for  the  intereft  of  onr  rivals ;  we  give  them 

What 
folly ! 

*  Government  lias,  fincc  this  work  has  been  written,  fuf. 
jtruled  the  duties  paid  by  the  wines  of  Bourdeaux  and  Langue- 
doc.  This  fufpenfion  was  granted  upon  a  remonftrance,  im 
porting  that  there  was  an  enormous  quantity  of  wines  at  Bour 
deaux,  and  which  the  holders  dared  not  export,  that  ihey  might 
not  be  obliged  to  ad/ance  the  high  duties.  This  proves,  that 
irppofts  cccafion  a  ftagnatior. 


UNITED  STATES  OF   AMERICA,  79 

folly  •  What  would  people  fay  of  an  alchymift,  who* 
having  found  the  philofopher'i  ftone,  mould  com 
municate  his  fecret  to  his  rivals,  who  would  make 
life  of  it  to  his  prejudice. 

And  yet  this  operation,  fo  prejudicial  to  France, 
has  been  favoured  by  government.  It  encourages 
diftillers;  that  is,  it  raifes  up  enemies  againft  the 
meliorating  vineyard's  and  wines,  and  efpecially 
againft  the  art  of  preferving  the  latter.  It  would  be 
much  more  prudent  and  advantageous  to  difcourage 
diftilleries.  In  fact,  the  diftillation  of  brandies  is 
for  the  vineyard  proprietor  a  laft  refource,  which 
proves  his  ruin.1* 

SECTION  III. 
O/'/r,   Olives i  dry  Fruits,  &c. 

Thefe  articles  are  fo  many  wants  with  the  Ame 
ricans  of  eafy  fortune,  and  efpecially  thole  in  the 
northern  States.  Our  fouthern  Provinces,  which 
produce  Inch  delicious  fruits,  cannot  in  this  refpect 
fear  any  competition.  They  are  alfo  articles  which 
have  hitherto  bed  fucceeded  in  adventures  made 
from  Marfeilles. 

Moreover,  all  that  Europe  will  be  able  to  furnifh 
of  them,  will  find  room  in  the  United  States;  they 

will 

*  In  the  Orleano'.s,  fix  barrels  at  leaft  of  wins  are  neceflary 
to  make  one  of  brandy.  The  w  ne  of  this  country,  when  it  is 
drinkable,  is  fold  on  an  average  at  thirty  livres  a  barrel.  The  fix 
barrels  produce  one  hundred  and  eighty  livres,  and  reduced  to 
brandy  they  fcarcely  produce  eighty.  Thus  the  proprietor  fuffera 
a  lofs  of  one  hundred.  Br,andies  fent  abroad,  where  they  dimi- 
nifh  the  fale  of  wine,  can  bear  no  exportation  duty.  Wines,  on 
the  contrary,  pay  a  confiderable  one.  Let  thefe  calculations  be 
anfwered*  The  English  themfelves  ought  not  to  admit  the  bran- 
dies  of  France,  becaufe,  in  filling  Englind  with  artificial  wines, 
they  are  prejudicial  to  their  wine  dut\.  The  prohibition  of 
brandies  would,  under  this  double  afpeft,  be  advantageous  to 
both  countries. 


So  ON    THS   COMMERCE   O?   THE 

will  accompany  our  wines,  and  we  e:*n  join  with 
the  fame  eafe  and  certainty  of  faie,  perfumeries, 
anchovies,  verdigrcafe,  &c.  as  well  as  an  hundred 
other  little  things  taken. by  the  Eugiifh  from  Mar- 
feilles,  and  of  which  they  have  created  a  want  to 
the  Americans. 

Lord  Sheffield,  in  his  work,  makes  Spain,  Por 
tugal,  and  Italy,  furnifli  the  United  States  with  thefe 
commodities.  I  wifli  he  had  beer  firicere  enough 
to  give  the  advantage  to  France.  France  is  fo  ge 
nerally  known  to  fell  thefe  productions  in  the  States 
of  America,  that  it  is  equally  aflonSfhing  this  writer 
fhould  have  been  ignorant  of  it,  or  filent  upon  the 
fubjecl.  This  fact,  by  proving  his  partiality,  ought 
to  put  readers  upon  their  guard  againft  his  aflei  tions. 

SECTION    IV. 

Cloths. 

People  governed  by  a  free  conftitution  are  natu 
rally  grave  and  deliberate.  They  prefer,  in  every 
tiling  they  ufe,  goodnefs  to  elegance,  what  is  folid 
to  that  which  is  fubjecl;  to  the  caprices  of  mode. 
Therefore,  as  long  as  the  independent  Americans  en 
joy  their  excellent  conftitution,  they  will  prefer 
clothes  of  cloth  to  thofe  of  the  moft  brilliant  fluffs. 

Moreover,  its  beauty,  pliancy,  itrength,  and  du 
ration,  render  it  more  generally  fit  for  this  ufe  in  any 
climate  whatfoever:  cloth  fecures  the  body  from 
the  excefles  of  cold  as  well  as  from  thofe  of  -heat. , 
It  refills  rain;  in  a  word,  it  unites  every  conveni 
ence;  and  if  it  be  the  univerfal  clothing  of  people 
in  a  middling  ftate,  it  offers  equally  to  the  rich,  but 
reafonable  man,  a  choice  proper  to  fatisfy  his  tafte, 
and  to  proportion  his  expences  to  his  means. 

The  manufacture  of  cloths  is  in  the  number  of 
thofe  complicated  manufactures  which  employ 
throughout  the  year  a  great  number  of  workmen  by 

the 


tJK-ITED   STAT-ESTOF  AMERICA,  c± 

the  day;  therefore  it  will  not  be  fuitable  to  the  Ame 
ricans,  fo  long  as  that  clafs  of  men  which  produces 
thefe  workmen  mall  be  able  to  employ  themfelves 
more  ufefully  in  the  clearing  of  lands,  and  in  culti 
vation  in  general. 

A  manufacture  of  woollen  {tuffs,  proper  for  the 
clothing  of  the  country  proprietor,  his  family  and 
lervants,  may,  without  doubt,  be  affociated  into  the 
labours  of  the  field  ;  but  manufactures  of,  this  kind, 
although  very  important  in  thernfelves,  can  only  be 
applied  to  coarfe  and  unfiniilied  (tuffs.  The  inter 
rupted  leiiure  of  the  peaiant  permits  him  to  do  no 
thing  which  is  complicated.  Card,  fpin,  weave, 
and  bleach,  is  all  that  he  can  do.*  If  it  be  necef- 
fary  for  him  to  go  beyond  thefe,  he  will  find  a  greater 
advantage  in  fell  in;?;  his  raw  materials,  or  even  with 
their  tint  pre]  ,  if  they  be  fimple,  and  to. 

draw  fro [;i  the  maiHiiVichires,  properly  fo  called,  the 
articles  of  which  he  is  in  need. 

We  owe  little  gratitude  to  thofe  of  our  {peculators 
who  immediately  after  the  peace  difperfed  our  cloths 
in  the  United  States.  If  one  fpark  of  public  fpirif 
had  animated  them,  they  would  have  perceived  the 
precious  and  honourable  fervice  which  they  were 
able  to  render  to  their  country  in  thefe  firft  adven 
tures,  by  giving  to  th"  Americans  a  great  idea  of 
the  (late  of  our  rnaniifeuftures.  Thefe  people  were 
well  difrofeci,  bv  tlir  fuccour  France  had  given; 
them,  to  cherifh  its  inhabitants,  to  eiteem  their  cha 
racter,  an -j  receive  their  productions.  They  were 

well 

*  As  lonf  as  there  are  lartds  to  be  cleared,  the  lelfure  wbi;h 
ar»r'  .  jwlil  be  very  /hovt,  becaufe  every  feafon  is  pro- 
f- r  .  ••;>}',  ex~-;.t;  vvhf-.M  too  great  a  q'jancity  of  fnovv 
{T,J(,-  The  intervals  of  leifure  become  regularly  efta- 
blifhed,  ^  tern  of  cultivation  is  fixed  j  and  thie  ftH  en 
tirely  difp  )•  Then  undertakings  are  calculated  upon 
their  Duration  5  but,  in.  genera!,  fimple  work,  which  req--:': 
no  coafiderabls  apparatur,  is  that  only  which 


8  Ott  THE  COMMERCE   OF  TH3 

well  difpofed  to  abjure  the  contempt  and  aversion 
with  which  the  Englifh  had  infpired  them  for  their 
rivals  and  their  productions,  and  to  give  France  the 
preference  in  every  thing.  Why  has  avarice,  by  a 
miferabie  calculation,  rendered  thefe  good  difpofi- 
tions  of  no  effect  ?  Men  were  willing  to  gain,  to 
gain  greatly;  to  make  what  is  called  a  good  ftroke, 
in  taking  advantage  of  the  diftrefs  of  the  Americans, 
and  forcing  them  to  take  thole  commodities  which 
were  unfit  for  every  other  market.* 

This  difhonefty  has  counterbalanced  the  fervice 
rendered  them;  for  the  imprudent  and  wretched 
young  man,  whofe  throat  is  cut  by  an  ufurer,  owes 
him  no  acknowledgment.  A  greater  evil  to  France 
has  been  the  confequence — her  cloths  have  loft  their 
repu ration  in  the  United  States.  But  let  the  Ame 
ricans  undeceive  themfelves;  let  them  net  attribute 
to  the  nation  the  fault  of  a  few  individuals;  let  them 
i:ave  a  bad  opinion  of  our  cloths,  becaufe  feme 
c;«d  ones  have  been  fent  to  them.  The  fame  acci 
dent  would  have  happened  to  Englifh  cloths  if,  in  a 
like  cafe,  there  had  been  Englifli  merchants  avarici 
ous  enough,  and  fo  far  flrangers  to  the  public  good, 
as  to  fend  their  refufe  to  the  United  States. f 

The 

*  I  do  not  accufe  sny  bo<?y  ;  but  I  can  certify,  upon  the  au 
thority  of  the  moft  refpeclabie  eye-witneffes,  chac  fome  of  theie 
outcaft  cloths  fell  at  the  end  of  fix  months  wear  into  Ihred: . 

The  Americans  were  jo  ftruck  by  this,  that  Mr.  Laurens, 
after  having  received  two  millions,  which  France  lent  to  the 
United  States,  employed  a  part  of'  that  fum  to  buy  Englifii  cloths. 
Complaints  were  made;  he  anfwered  that  it  was  his  duty  to  buy 
better  and  cheaper  cloths. 

'  Englifh  merchants  love,  as  well  as  others,  to  get  money, 
and  there  are  among  them  thofe  who,  for  the  love  of  gain,  would 
trample  under  foot  every  patriotic  confederation.  But  the  public 
fpirit  of  the  generality  of"  them  puts,  in  England  more  than  elfe- 
where,  a  check  upon  the  fhameful  enterprizts  cf  avarice;  con- 
fequemi)  the  greater  p-'.rt  of  the  merchants  never  abandon  the 
national  interefts  in  th,c:r  fpeculations,  neither  the  honour  of  Eng- 
lifli  commerce,  nor  the  reputation  of  their  manii/aftures.  It 


UNITED  STATES  OF    AMERICA.  gj 

The  Americans  who  come  among  us,  ftudy  the 
nature  ci  the  intcrcourfc  which  \ve  fhall  one  day- 
have  with  the  Usiited  States;  they  know  that  our 
manufacturers  pofTefs  all  the  means  which  give  to 
Engliih  cloths  their  reputation ;  that  they  make  them 
in  the  fame  manner,  and  that  the  fuperfines  are  fu- 
perior  to  thofe  of  England;  that  in  geiveral  dying  is 
better  underftood  with  us,  and  carried  to  greater 
perfection:  in  fhort,  that  it  depends  but  on  fome 
circumftances  eafy  to  be  got  over,  to  make  the  cheap- 
nefs-of  our  workmanfhip  allure  us  the  preference  to 
the  Englifh  with  refpedt  to  cloths. 

Lord  Sheffield,  in  avowing  the  fuperiority  of  our 
fine  cloths,  and  of  their  cheapnefs,  obferves,  that 
the  greateft  confumption  of  the  Americans  is  of 
common  cloths,  with  refpect  to  which  France  cannot 
enter  into  a  competition  with  England.  And  he 
draws  from  it  this  confequence,  that  the  inconveni 
ence  of  dividing  the  demands  to  compofe  aflbrt- 
ments,  and  the  consideration  of  the  fmall  quantity 
of  fine  cloth  neceflary  to  form  them,  will  caufe  thefe 
to  be  ordered  in  England,  notwithftanding  the  ad 
vantage  there  would  be  in  getting  them  from  France. 

But  why  ftiould  we  not  furnifli  common  cloths 
to  the  United  States,  fince  the  labour  of  our  manu 
facturers  is  cheaper  than  that  of  England?  It  is  be- 
caufe  the  Englim  wool  is  cheaper  than  ours.  The 
EnglHh  grow  their  own  wool,  and  ftand  in  no  need 

of 

is  thus  they  are  become  the  principal  agents  for  fiirniflimg  every 
fpecies  of  manufacture  to  the  whole  worlrf.  When  it  happens 
that  any  of  them  iacrifice  national  reputation  to  views  of  private 
interert,  honeft  patriots  generally  perfer  accufa'ions  againft  them 
before  a  public  tribunal,  and  then  the  culpri"  Is  not  fuffered  to 
anfwer  by  clandestine  memoirs  to  public  and  fubftantial  accufa- 
tion  ;  this  obfcure  and  cowardly  refource  is  held  in  too  great 
•contempt  to  He  made  ufe  of.  There  it  mains  nothing  to  the 
culprit  but  filence  or  faJfhood  ;  in  both  cafes  he  is  dishonoured 
in  the  opinion  of  the  public,  whi.  h  aff-  Us  and  marks  every  in 
dividual,  without  refpe&  to  rank;  power,  or  riciies. 


$4  °N  THE  COMMERCE  OF  THK 

of  foreign  wool,  except  a  little  Spanifh,  indifpen- 
fable  to  fuperfine  cloths.  On  the  contrary,  we  im 
port  more  than  half  of  the  wool' we  manufacture 
•into  cloth.  M.  la  Platiere  fays  there  are  thirty-five 
millions  of  flieep  kept  in  Great-Britain,  each  of 
which,  he  affirms,  produces  on  an  average  at  leaft 
iix  pounds  of  wool.  It  is  the  breed  of  flieep  which 
gives  to  England  fuch  an  amazing  fuperiority  over 
all  other  nations  in  her  woollen  manufactures. 
^France  ought  to  encourage  the  breed  of  fheep  find 
•the  deflruclion  of  wolves.*  M.  la  Platiere  faw  this 
evil,  and  had  courage  to  publifti  it  in  the  Encyclo 
pedia  Methodique.  Platiere  was  called  a  man  of 
pretenfions.  The  fame  title  was  given  to  Dr.  Price 
in  London,  when  he  predicted  the  lofs  of  the  Colo- 
-iiies.  The  minifterial  heads  of  that  country  laughed 
sit  the  prophet,  but  the  t  vent  proved  he  \vasright, 

SECTION   V. 

Linens. 

There  are  two  principal  fpecies  of  linen-drapery, 
which  are  fubdivided  into  a  multitude  of  others. 

The  firft  fpecies  contains  linen  properly  fo  called; 
that  is  to  fay,  linen  which  lerves  to  make  fhirts, 
"iheefs,  table  linen,  and  i\\\  the  linen  made  ufe  of 
for  every  purpofe  of  cleanlinefs. 

Thefe  linens  are  made  with  hemp,  flax,  or  cotton  ; 
<his  laft  article  is  employed  when  the  two  former  ones 
are  fcarcc:  it  is  fometimes  mixed  with  flax. 

The 

*  In  the time  of  the  monarchy  there  was  in  ofEce  called  Lo-u- 
•VETERIE,  or  Matter  of"  the  French  King's  wolf-hounds,  and 
his  (tffociates  receive.!  a  trifling  rt-compence  for  the  head  of  every 
wolf  they  "killed  :  of  whom  this  faft  i*  \vell  atccilcil.  There 
is  a  fmall  diilrift,  the  fub-rielcgate  of  which  put  into  his  account 
the  price  of  ten  thoufand  wolves  hea'h.  The  quantity  appeared 
extraordinary  to  the.  mini flcr.  The  affair  was  examined.  The 
fob-delegate  was  difcharged.  But  he  who  prompted  him  to  th-e 
^.fl  went 


UNITED  STATES  O?  AMERICA,  $ 

'The  manner  of  making  thefe  linens  is  very  fim- 
ple;  they  are  made  in  all  parts  of  Europe.*  Thofe 
countries  where  religious  or  political  defpotifm  di- 
fcourages  induftry  ;  where  the  numerous  inftitutions 
•of  charity,  invented  to  divert  the  attention  of  de- 
fpair  from  mifery,  nonrim  idlenefs ;  thefe  countries 
nre  the  only  ones  wherein  this  manufacture  does  not 
merit  the  attention  of  the  political  obferver. 

Every  where  elfe,  the  country  people  employ, 
more  or  lefs,  the  leifure  which  their  kind  of  life  af 
fords  them  to  fpin  and  weave  linen.  Mod  of  the 
farmers  and  proprietors  who  enjoy  a  little  eafe,  or 
who  are  not  afraid  of  letting  it  appear,  fow  hemp 
or  flax,  and  draw  from  their  foil  and  the  work  of 
I  their 

*  If  there  be  a  country  \vhere  the  manufacture  of  linens  is 
encouraged,  it  is  in  Ireland,  particularly,  fince  its  refurrection 
into  the  political  world.  Parliament  has  eftabiilhed  a  com 
mittee  which  is  particularly  employed  about  this  manufacture, 
and  which  grants  very  considerable  fuccours  to  manufacturers. 
There  is  one  who  has  obtained  more  than  thirty  thoufand  pounds 
flerling  from  government,  and  whofe  manufacture  employs  t'.vo 
thoufand  men  and  women,  and  fix  hundred  children. 

This  comTiittee  names  infpectors  to  examine  the  ft  ate  of  ma- 
nufactures,  and  afterwards  to  make  reports,  or  give  a  gene:v,l 
defcription  of  their  fituation,  of  the  number  of  workmen  they 
employ,  of  their  produce,  refources,  wants,  &c.j| 

Still  more  has  been  done  in  Ireland,  to  encourage  the  com 
merce  of  linen  ;  great  edifices  have  been  builr,  and  deilined  to 
receive  them,  >s  well  as  thole  who  come  to  offer  them  for  fale. 
The  moft  confiderable  market  being  at  Dublin,  three  or  four 
times  a  year,  linen  merchants  from  die  North,  who  have  bleach- 
yards,  come  to  Dublin  with  their  affortinents.  They  find  in 
thefe  edifices,  places  for  their  linens  and  for  themfelves  to  lod^c 
in,  all  at  no  expence.— They  meet  Englifh  buyers  "or  others, 
who  go  there,  to  gather  together  all  their  purchafes. — Like  ce^o- 
fitories  are  eRabliihed  in  the  North ;  they  are  efTentia:ly  neceilkry 
to  thofe  manufactures,  the  articles  of  which  are  gathered  in  the 
countr- . — Where  they  exift,  expences  are  lefs,  and  work  is  bet« 
ter  paid  for. 

j|  When  thefe  infpectors  are  honeft,  and  men  of  underftand- 
sng,  their  reports  are  evidences  of  fuccefs.  Then  example  hai 
a  Angular  bfiuence  upon  iuduftry. 


$6  ON  THE  COMMERCE  Ot  THL 

their  hands  the  linen  which  covers  their  bodies 
fupplies  their  family. 

The  Engiifli  have  added  other  caufes  to  thofe 
\vhich  produce  low-priced  worknaanfliip :  their  aflo- 
m'fhing  induftry,  their  obferving  genius,  their,  ever 
calculating  mind,  have  invented  for  the  fpinning,  &c. 
of  cotton,  and  for  weaving,  feveral  machines  which 
Hill  furpafs  the  cheapnefs  to  be  expected  from  the 
leifure  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  country. 

As  thefe  machines  are  infenfibly  introduced  into 
countries,  it  may  be  expected  that  the  low  price  of 
linen-drapery  will  be  every  where  eftablifhed. 

But  notwithftanding  the  multiplication  of  thefe 
machines,  nations  which  groan  under  a  bad  govern 
ment,  or  are  grown  rufty  in  old  and  wretched  habits, 
will  always  depend,  for  that  article  of  neceffity,  upon 
thofe  which  have  eftablifhed  bounds  to  their  govern 
ment,  but  none  for  their  induflry,  which  muft  con- 
Jftantly  increafe. 

It  refults  from  thefe  facts,  that  the  United  States 
•will  always  have,  in  proportion  to  the  increafe  of 
their  population  and  culture,  lefs  recourfe  to  ftran- 
gers  for  that  principal  kind  of  linen-drapery  whofe 
manufacture  is  fo  well  aflbciated  with  the  labours  of 
the  field.* 

Very  fine  linens  muft  be  excepted ;  they  are  def- 
tined  for  luxury,  and  the  individuals  employed  in 
manufacturing  them  are  condemned  to  vegetate  mi- 
ferably  in  cities,  rolling  perpetually  in  the  fame  circle 
of  mechanical  labours. f  It  is  the  unhappy  fate  of 

all 

*  The  American  women  are  renowned  for  the'r  'induftry  in  the 
Condu£l  of  their  houfes  j  they  fpin  a  great  deal  of  wool  or  flax  j 
they  would  lofe  the'rr  reputation  and  be  defpifed,  if  their  whole 
family  were  not  altnoft  entirely  clothed  with  the  cloth  a;.d  linen 
jriEde  in  the  houfe— if  the  whole  interior  of  their  ruftic  habita 
tion  did  not  bear  evident  marks  of  their  cl^aMinefs  and  indu.try. 

-}-  Manufactures  are  much  boafted  of,  becaufe  children  are 
fmplnyed  therein  from  their  moft  tender  age;  that  is  to  fay, 
that  men  congratulate  thernfelves  upon  making  early  martyrf 


tr&ITEt)  STATES  OF  AMERICA,  87 

ail  thofe  who  are  born  in  Europe  without  property, 
a'nd  will  not  debufe  themfelves  by  domeftic  labour. 

The  United  States,,  where  laborious  individuals 
may  with  Ib  much  facility  become  proprietors,  are 
far  from  that  degradation  ;  and  if  they'are  wife,  they 
will  have,  for  a  long  time,  the  happinefs  not  to  fee 
fpun  or  woven  among  them,  any  of  thofe  delicate 
kinds  of  thread  and  fine  linens,  which,  fought  after 
and  bought  up  by  the  opulent,  are  the  real  produc 
tions  of  European  mifery. 

The  fecond  fpecies  of  linens  contains  what  is 
more  properly  called  linen  -drapery ;  that  is  to  fay, 
cloth  made  of  thread  of  different  colours,  "whether 
flax  or  cotton  j  or  thefe  two  fubilances  mixed  with 
others. 

The  greater  part  of  this  drapery  requires  too  com 
plicated  a  procefs,  too  varied  an  apparatus,  too  con 
tinued  a  labour,  to  be  manufactured  otherways  than 
in  thofe  particular  eftablifhments,  fituated  from  ne- 
ceiiity  in  the  neighbourhood  of  cities,  and  which 
have  no  affinity  with  a  rural  life, 

The  art  of  making  well  the  tiflue,  of  mixing  th's 

colours,  of  contrafting  them,  of  imaginary  agreeable 

I  2>.  defigns, 

of  thefe  Innocent  creatures  5  for  is  it  not  a  torment  to  thefe  poor 
clings,   vhom  nature  command^  us  to  permit  to  take  the 
a;r  and  their  fpors,  until  they  are  of  riper  years,  and  their  ftrength. 
is  bee  .--bis — Is  it  not  a  torment  to  them  tobeavvhcie 

day,  and  almoft  every  day  of  their  lives,  employed  at  the  fame 
work,  in  an  obfcure  and  infecled  prifon  ?  Muft  not  the  weari- 
.nefs  and  vexation  which  they  fuffer,  obftrucl  the  opening  of  their 
phylkal  and  intellectual  faculties,  and  ilupify  them  ?  Muft  not 
there  refult  from  this  a  degenerate  racf,  inclined  to  automa- 
tonifm  and  ilavery  ?  For  mod  manufactures  require  no  other 
than  mechanical  labours,  which  a  machine  would  perform  as 
well  as  a  man.  It  is  therefore  impofiible  that  a  man  condemned 
to  this  kind  of  employ  mould  not  become  a  machine  j  ,<nd  rhr- 
pidity  and  fcrvitude  are  joined  to  each  other, — Thefe  truths  can 
not  be  too  often  repeated,  not  to  difgutt  the  Europeans  with  the 
mania  ot  manufactures;  they  are  too  far  advanced  to  retraclj 
but  to  hinder  the  Americans  from  ever  following  the  fame  caree*. 


91T  THE  COMMERCE   OF  THE 

ciefigns,  of  preparing  the  linen  when  it  is  finiihed,, 
&o.  this  art,  extenfive,  varied  and  cdicate,  requires 
the  greateft  attention.  The  mod  important  thing  is 
to  do  a  great  deal  in  "it  at  a  little  expence,  and  it  is 
the  point  to  which  the  Englifh  are  arrived,  with  re- 
ipect  to  that  kind  generally  known  under  the  name 
of  printed  callico. 

This  will  be  for  a  long  time  a  confiderable  article 
of  commerce,  between  Europe  and  the  United 
States,  which  confumes  a  great  deal  of  it;  and  it  is 
an  article  wherein  French  huluftry.  left  to  its  natural 
force,  and  not  being  reftrained  by  any  obftacle,  need 
not  fear  competition.*  In  this,  as  in  molt  other 
articles,  the  nature  of  things  is  entirely  in  favour  of 
France,  and  fuccefs  depends  wholly  on  the  will  of 
her  government. 

In  the  year  1785  the  government  of  France  in 
vited,  by  an  arret,  foreign  manufacturers  of  there 
linens  to  come  and  fettle  in  France. 

But  this  invitation  is  not  made  in  terms  fufficiently 
£lear;  or  £atterii««^  -~  ™"C-  fencers  to  come  and 
fettle  amongft  us;  efpecially  not  fuch  as  have  a  little 
energy  and  elevation  in  their  characters,  and  it  is  of 
thefe  alone  that  we  are  in  need. 

Among  different  favours  granted  them,  there  is 
one  which  entitles  them  to  the  enjoyment  of  their  ft  ate 
er  profeffi-jH)  and  of  their,  ufages  ;  in  that  ivhichj/iall  not 
be.  contrary  to  Z.'iC  laics  of  the  kindom,  &c> 

But 

*  Lord  Sheffield  maintains  In  his  work,  that  France  has 
not  even  linen  enough  for  her  own  confumption.  A  c«m- 
jncrcial  dictionary,  printed  at  Lyons  in  1763,  afiures  on  the 
*f.r.tr;:  - .-,  that  "ranee  fends  a  great  deal  abroad.  If  the  com-, 
fiitr  of  th^  dictionary  fpoke  truth,  he  might  be  anfw'ered  ac 
cording  *o  the  author  of  Les  Etudes  de  !a  Nature — '*  Of  what 
<{  ufe  is  it  to  a  fbate  to  clothe  foreign  nations,  when  one's  own 
"  people  are  quite  naked  ?" — Thefe  two  writers  may  be  made 
to  agree,  by  laying  that  France,  reftored  to  her  energy,  would 
eafiiy  furnifh  linens  to  foreigners  and  her  own  citizens,  and  that 
various  interior  caufei  have  hiuiccto  prevented  her  from  doing  itv 


UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA,  89 

But  what  fignifies  all  the  vague  expreffions  of  en 
joyment,  of  ftate  and  profeffion,  liberty  and  ufagss? 
What  ftate  is  here  fpoken  of?  Is  it  of  the  political, 
civil,  religious,  or  domeftic  ftate?  Engliftimen,  in 
dependent  Americans,  have  a  political  ftate,  a  poli 
tical  liberty,  that  is,  a  right  to  take  part  in  the  ad- 
miniftration  of  public  affairs:  is  this  ftate  under- 
ftood  ?  Is  the  liberty  of  having  a  temple  for  commu 
nion,  for  marriage  according  to  that  communion, 
under  ftood  by  the  liberty  of  ufages?  Why  are  not 
thefe  ufages  fpecified? 

And  above  all,  what  fignifies  thefe  words,  in  that 
which  JJiall  not  he  contrary  to  the  laws  of  the  kingdom.  If 
they  convey  a  clear  meaning,  do  they  not  completely 
deftroy  the  preceding  favours  granted  ?  or,  at  leaft, 
do  not  they  leave  a  great  uncertainty  upon  that 
which  is  or  is  not  granted  ? 

Why  is  not  a  language  clear  and  without  evaiicn 
made  ufe  of,  efpecially  in  trsating.-  with  ftrangers  ? 
Inftead  of  an  equivocal  jargon,  dangerous  in  its  na 
ture,  becaufe  it  produces  miftrufty-  and  may  give  an 
opening  for  deceit,  why'  not  fay  to  them  in  clear 
terms,  "  If  you  come  within  our  ftates,  accompanied 
by  your  wives  and  children, — if  you  bring  your 
manufactures,  if  you  eftablifti  yourfelves  among  u^, 
you  fhall  enjoy  all  the  rights  of  our -fubjefts  ?  •  Thefe 
rights  are,  to  pofTefs  property  in  the  fulleft  fecuritv, 
and  not  to  be  deprived  of  it  but  by  the  laws,  tri 
bunals,  &c.  If  you  fix  your  abode  among  us,  your 
children  will,  without  obftacle,  be  your  heirs:  you 
iliall  alfo  preferve  your  religious  opinions.  When 
there  fliall  be  a  certain  number  of  you,  you  (hail 
have  a  temple  wherein  to  worlhip,  according  to  your 
own  manner,  the  Everlafting  Father ;  and  you  tiiaH 
have  minifters,  and  hold  aflemblies;  fhall  intermarry 
according  to  your  jrules,  &c.  If  France  be  not 
agreeable  to  yon,  nothing,  abfolutely  nothing,  (hall 
hinder  you  from  leaving  it,  and  carrying  with  you 
I  3  youv 


go  ON  THE  COMMERCE   O  ?    Til* 

your  riches."     It  faall  be  told  that  all  this  was  n 
to  be  faid  by  the  arret :  it  was  necedary  then  to  ex 
plain  it  clearly,  and  why  were  thefe  obfcure  word* 
added, — in  that  which  Jliall  not  be  contrary  to  the  laws  of 
the  kingdom  ? 

How  fhould  a  German,  an  Italian,  an  Englifli* 
man,  who  iliould  be  tempted  to.eftablifh  themfelves 
in  France,  be  acquainted  with  your  ancient  laws  and 
ordinances?  Will  they  turn  over  your  innumerable 
folios?  Certainly  they  will  not,  they  will  flay  rt 
home ;  you  will  therefore  have  failed  in  your  inten 
tions.  On  the  other  hand,  do  not  they  know  that 
a.  century  ago,  and.  ever  fince  that  time,  thoufands 
of  ordinances  were,  and  have  been  made  againft 
the  Calvinifts,  and  that  thefe  ordinances  are  not  yet 
repealed?  Ought  not  they  to  be  afraid  that  thefe 
•would  be  brought  forth  againft  them  if  they  gave  the 
leaft  offence?  They  will  remain  at  home,  and  once 
more  you  have  miffed  your  aim. 

It  is  the  more  necelfary  for  monarchies  not  to 
difguife  under  a  captious  form  the  advantages  by 
which  they  feek  to  entice  Grangers;  as -free  ftates, 
fuch  as  Ireland  and  Independent  America,  do  not 
fubjecl:  emigrants  to  any  capitulation  or  conftraint: 
they  offer  them  all  the  rights  of  citizens  the  moment 
they  fet  their  feet  on  free  ground:  and  what  rights! 
In  Ireland  that  of  voting  at  elections;  in  the  United 
States,  that  of  being  elected  themfelves ;  and,  con- 
fequently  the  moft  feducing  right,  becaufe  it  is  the 
moft  proper  one  to  maintain  the  dignity  of  a  man 
who  has  dignity;  the  moil  proper  to  give  it  to  him 
who  has  it  not. 

When  a  nation  perceives  the  necefilty  of  enticing 
grangers  to  fettle  in  it,  nothing  ought  to  be  fpared, 
elpecialiy  in  flatesfar  advanced  in  civilization. 

It  is  a  means  of  regenerating  ^morals,  if  it  be  pof- 
'fible  to  regenerate  them,  and  cfpecially  to  encourage 

induftryj, 


TJKITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA.  911 

induftfy ;  for  in  order  to  exift  in  a  ftrange  land,  and 
to  gain  in  it  confideration  and  confidence,  emigrants 
are  forced  to  have  good  morals,  probity,  and  exacti 
tude.  Their  example  cannot  but  have  a  falutary  in 
fluence  upon  the  nation  which  receives  them  into 
its  bofofn. 

Otherwife,  having  opinions,  habitudes,  and  know 
ledge,  different  from  thofe  of  that  nation,  they  may 
help  it  to  break  its  bad  cuftoms,  to  give  it  a  greater 
extent  in  its  views,  more  cofmopolitifm,  or  of  that 
character  proper  for  approaching  nations  to  each 
other,  and  for  diminifhing  national  antipathies. 

When  the  advantages  which  a  country  acquires 
by  Grangers  who  fix  themfelves  in  it  are  conlidered, 
it  is  aftonifhing  to  fee  governments  think  fo  little 
about  them,  and  frequently  not  to  refpect  their  rights. 
They  ought,  on  the  contrary,  to  protect  a  ftranger  fo 
much  the  more  as  he  feems  lefs  fupported  by  the  laws 
than  a  citizen;  that  he  is  unacquainted  with  them 5 
that  he  may  eafily  be  the  victim  of  artifice  and  chi 
canery  ;  that  it  frequently  happens  that  he  does  not 
underftand  the  language;  finally,  that  being  alone, 
"he  has  neither  family,  friends,  nor  patrons. 

In  this  fituation,  the  ftranger  ought  to  be  envi 
roned  by  the  fafeguard  of  a  particular  adminiftfation, 
which  mould  watch  over  his  iafety;  but  it  is  the 
reverfe  of  this  in  many  ftates.* 

Thus,  whilfl  we  fee  in  thofe  flates  who  under 
ftand  their  interefts  better,  Frenchmen  direct  the 

greateft 

*  If  a  ftranger  be  fufpedled,  few  examinations  areniade; 
he  is  arrefted — liberty  is  left  to  a  citizen,  or  at  leaft  he  is  treat 
ed  mildlyj  the  ftranger  is  imprifoned :  the  fabaltern,  infolent 
by  reafon  of  the  indifference  of  his  fuperiors,  treats  him  with 
feverity :  for  what  is  there  to  fear  from  him  ?  Is  the  word 
with  them  all,— fet  at  liberty— will  that  ftranger  go  and  make 
the  temple  of  chicane  ring  with  his  complaints  ?  He  fears, 
left  it  may  be  a  new  foreft,— -  he  flics,  curling  that  inhofpitabie 
country, 


gS£'  ON  THE  COMMERCE  OF 

greateft  part  of  their  manufactures ;  few  Grangers 
are  feen  to  come  and  eftablifli  themfelves  amongft  ua, 
I  could  quote,  as  a  proof  of  what  I  advance, 
known  fa&s,  quite  recent;  but  I  will  not  write  a 
book  upon- every  article  of  exportation;  I  will  con 
fine  myfelf  to  faying  that  great  liberty,  and  few  re?ti- 
lations,*  are. the  two  beft  means  of  improving  the 
linen  manufactures  in  all  countries,  as  well  as  in 
France. 

SECTION  VI. 

Silks )  Ribbons,  Silk  Stockings,  Gold  and  Silver  Lace,  &V. 

There  are  upwards  of  feventy  thoufand  Iborrrs 
and  frames  employed  in  thefe  articles,  and  one  half 
of  the  filk  made  ufe  of  is  produced  in  the  kingdom;. 

The  other  ftates  of  Europe,  except  Spain  and 
Italy,  are  obliged  to  procure  from  abroad  the  whole 
of  the  filk  neccfiary  for  the  manufactures  which  they 
have  eftabli flied,  in  imitation  of  thofe  of  France. 

If  there  be  added  to  the  advantage  which  thefe 
circumftarsces  give  to  the  French,  thdr  fingular  ap 
titude  for  the  manufacture  of  every  article  of  luxury; 
their  incredible  fecundity  in  varying  thefe  articles; 
the  abfolute  and  general  empire  allowed  them  over 
the  tafte  and  mode  which  prefide  in  thefe  manufao 
tures;  an  empire  fo  particular,  as  to  be  every  where 
copied;  no  doubt  will  remain,  that  French  filks, 

ribbons, 

*  I  might  quote,  as  a  proof  cf  what  I  have  faid  in  the  courfe  • 
«f  this  work,  that  even  die  regulations  which  appear  favour 
able  to  induitry,  are  prejudicial  to  it;  the  new  arret  palled  :n 
favour  of  French  linens,  fubjeds  them-to  a  {ramp  duty,  under 
the  pretext  of  preventing  fraud.  The  duty  appears  moderate, 
yet  the  manufacturers  are  fenfibly  injured  by  it  ;  moreover  it 
retrains  them,  in  fubjefting  them  to  the  caprices  of  revenue 
clerks;  and  this  does  not  prevent  fraud;  therefore,  to  prevent 
the  manufacturer  from  being  robbed,  his  money  is  taken  from 
him,  and  the  robbery  ftill  takes  place  \  he  would  prefer  heirt£ 
left  to  defend  himfelf  againfl  thieves*  , 


UNITED  STATES   OF  AMERICA.  93 

ribbons,  fiik  ftockings,  and  lace,  will  be  preferred 
to  all  others  in  the  United  States* 

It  is  not  to  be  feared  that  they  will  be  manufac 
tured  there;  from  the  cares  which  the  infect  that 
produces  the  fiik  requires,  to  the  arrival  of  the  (luff 
in  the  warehoufe  where  it  is  to  be  fold,  almoft  all  h 
workmanfhip;  and  the  workmanihip  of  Europe  inuft 
for  a  long  time,  if  not  for  ever,  be  even  cheaper 
than  that  of  the  United  States. 

The  confumption f  of  thefe  articles  cannot  be 

very 

*  Yet  Lord  Sheffield  gives  for  competition  with  France,  Eng 
land  and  Spain.  It  is  to  be  obferved  that  England  cannot  un 
dertake  with  advantage  thofe  manufactures  wherein  gold  and 
fiiver  are  introduced,  nor  in  general  thofe  which  have  for  their 
bafjs  the  ufe  of  brilliant  metals.  Fire  is  neceffary  as  an  agent 
in  fuch  manufactures,  and  a  coal  fire  is  prejudicial  to  them. 
The  atmofphere  in  England  is  perpetually  charged  with  ful- 
phureous  vapours,  where  contact  tarniflies,  in  a  very  little  time, 
gold  and  fiiver  incz*  Szc.  and  this  perhaps  is  the  motive,  which 
more  than  manners  has  baniCvjd,  and  will  for  ever  exclude  this 
kjnd  of  luxury  from  England  ;  and  it  is  not  a  misfortune. 

•f-  Our  defign  bsing  to  dilluade  the  free  Americans  fro-n  wifh* 
ing  for  manufactures,  we  ought  not  to  lofe  the  prefent  oppor 
tunity  of  defcribing  to  them  the  abufes  and  inconveniencies  5n- 
feparabie  from  thefe  eftablifhments.  There  is  ncne  which  has 
had  more  fuccefs  in  France  than  that  of  fiik.  Yet  fee  the  fright 
ful  defer! ption  given  of  it  by  M.  Mayet,  director  of  the  manu 
factures  of  the  King  of  Pruflia,  in  his  Memoir  on  the  manu-x 
fa£lu.-e;  of  Lyons.  (Paris,  Moutard  1786.)  He  indicates  as 
cr.tfes  cf  the  decadency  of  the  manufacture1),  the  drunkenr.efa 
of  workmen  en  Sundays,  the  infection  of  their  difmal  lodgings, 
bankruptcies  which  are  the  refult  of  ignorance  and  difho 
the  cuTation  of  vvcrk  dming  court  mournings,  which  occafioii1* 
fame  workmen  to  emigrate,  and  others  to  fteal,  the  mtfconduct 
of  revenue  officers,  the  monop  )iy  of  fiik,  Sec.  abufas  f«>  much 
the  more  alaTTiing,  fays  M.  Mayet,  as  they  are,  ftr  the  moil: 
part,  the  offsprings  of  luxury,  and  which  are  produced  eir  AV 
by  acquired  riches,  or  the  thirl  of  acquiring  them  j  it  fcems  as 

•;y  could  not  but  fpring  up  in  manufafturcs. 
\VLo  can  recommend  the  eftablifhmcnt  of  manufactures,  OR 
reading  the  following  reflections  of  the  fame  author  ? 

"  The  concurrence  of  manufactures  neceffitates  their  cheap- 
44  nsfa:  to  have  a  preference  of  falc,  it  is  neceffary  to  fell  at  a. 


94  °w  THE  COMMERCE  or  TH£    » 

very  confiderable  there,*  if  America  takes  advar> 
t?.q;e  of  that  opening  to  which  nature  calls  her.  Rib- 
K;  is  excepted,  the  reft  are  proper  for  great  cities 
on  y;  where  vanity  being  inceiHuidy  excited,  IT, 
drefs  a  defirabie  and  almoft  neceilary  objeci.  But 
thefe  great  cities  will,  without  doubr,  be  v<rry  rare 
in  the  United  States.  It  is  ftill  more  certain  -.hat  the 
confumption  of  fi'iks  does  not,  at  }.n;it::icr  fcrrn 
there  a  confiderable  articie;  that  it  will  augment  but 
very  flowly,  and  in  a  manner  almofl  ini'enfible.  The 
Americans  ought  undoubtedly  to  be  congratulated 
upon  it.  Their  manners  will  be  good  and  fimple  as 
long  as  they  do  not  contract  a  want  of  theie  articles} 
but  if  they  do  not  want  them  for  themfelves,  they 
will  haveaccafion  for  them  to  farm  branches  of  their 
fmuggling  commerce  with  the  Spaniards.  Nature 
in  vices  them  to  carry  on  this  commerce  in  aii  advan 
tageous  manner,  both  by  fea.  and  land. ^ 

It 

tl  lower  price  5  tire  wages  or"  v/r.rk'inen  mail  therefore  be  mode- 
t(  rate,  and  they  niuil  gain  no  moie  than  will  rind  them  in. 
"  necoiTdrtes  s .  the  workman  i&uft  never  ce  fulTered  to  enrich 
"  himfeif.  In  bicojr.ifig  rich,  he  becomes  diHkult,  exaftin^^ 
"  enters  into  combinations,  impofes  ia~.vs,  becomes  diffipated 
**  andirile,  he  caufes  the  piice  of  worlcmanfhip  to  incve^ie,  and 
"  manufaiflures  to  fail.**  THUS  RICH  STUFFS  OUGHT  vs 

BE  WATEKES  WTTH.THS  TE.AXS  OF  THE  WORKMAN  WHO 
M  A  N  U  F  -\  C  T  U  ?  r  E  T  H  E  JA  , 

Ought  not  th:3  lafl  phrafe  to  oifgud  the  free  Americans  for 
ever  v  .')ia  o*"  manufa^ures  of  luxury? — Lft  them 

reS-rcl,  that  to  fupport  the  fil'c  manufadtiires  of  Lyons,  the  fame 
author  propofes  to  the  King  of  Fiance,  to  4'acrifice  his  tafle  for 
Simplicity  of  drefs,  and  to  wear  brilliant  clothes,  &c. 

*  Lord  Sheffield  fays,  that  it  is  not  the  firth  part  of  Indian 
fi'ks,  &c.  but  what  fignifies  this  calculation  ?  The  country 
which  confumes  the  greatefl  quantity  of.  iVik  ftufl's,  does  net, 
pe  haps,  confume  the  twentieth  part  of  that  winch  Lord  Shef 
field  means  by  Indian  £iks. 

•f*  This  commerce  will   be  better  eftabliihed  by  land— The 
rUks  there  will  be  lefs— The  great  rivers  which  water  thofe  :m- 
menfe  countries   will  favour  it.     A  maritime  commerce  muft 
be  protected  by  a  naval  force,  and  the  nature  of  things  will  hin-  . 
•ir:r'K4.ns  from  having  one  for  a  long  time  to  con  • 


UNITED  STATES    Of    AMERICA.  95 

It  is  known  that  wretched  individuals,  who  vege 
tate  in  South-America,  matters  and  (laves,  all  ilgii 
after  nothing  but  luxury,  pomp  and  drefs.  Elegant 
and  fliining  fluffs  of  France;  her  filks  and  laces  will 
therefore  be  fought  after,  demanded,  and  bought  up 
with  avidity. 

However  it  may  be  with  refpecl  to  this  commerce, 
which  exiils  but  in  futurity,  and  which  mu.fi:  be  pre-' 
ceded  by  other  circumftapces,  there  is  at  prefent  a 
certain  confumption  of  filks,  ribbons,  &c.  in  the 
United  States ;  and  the  French  ought  to  be  anxious 
to  fupply  them. 

I  will  obferve  upon  this  fubjecl:,  that  if  the  French 
government  ordered  that  the  regular  packet-boats 
going  from  France  and  America  fhoulcl  receive  as 
much  merchandize  on  board  as  their  deflination 
would  permit,  little  ventures  cf  our  filks,  fluffs,  rib 
bons,  gauzes,  ftockings,  &rc.  would  be  frequently 
fent  out,  and  thefe  articles  would  ferve  better  than 
any  other  to  eftablifh  uninterrupted  connexions,  and 
which  by  the  infight  they  give,  and  the  experiments 
which  they  afford  an  opportunity  of  making,  con 
duct  nature  herfelf  to  thofe  great  commercial  inter- 
courfes  to  which  we  ought  to  afpire. 

The  facilities  which  packet-boats  offer  for  the 
fending  out  of  merchandize  of  value  and  of  little 
incumbrance  ought  not  to  be  neglected,  fince,  in 
this  clafs  of  merchandize,  we  have  things  which  have 
a  decided  preference.  I  will  return  to  thofe  packet- 
boats  which  it  is  important  to  keep  upand  to  increafe.j 
and  it  is  to  be  wifiied,  that  no  monopoly  of  right  or 
inct  may  take  pofleffion  of  them,  in  order  to  carrv 
une  branch  of  commerce  in  exclufion  of  others.. 


SECTION 


96  OK  THE  COMMERCE  OF  IMS 

SECTION  VII. 

Hats. 

Although  a  fine  hat  be  called  a  beaver,  it  does  not 
follow  that  Canada  and  the  United  Northern  States 
are  more  favourable  to  the  fabrication  of  hats  than 
France.  Hats,  purely  of  beaver,  do  not  wear  well, 
and  are  inconvenient  on  account  of  their  weight. 
The  fineft,  handfomeft,  and  beft  hats,  contain  but 
little  of  the  fur  of  that  animal,  which  we  efteem  at 
too  high  a  price,  when  we  think  of  the  lofs  of  Ca 
nada.  Wool,  the  furs  of  the  hares  and  rabbits ;  the 
hair  of  goats,  which,  in  fact,  is  wool,  and  camels 
hair,  are  more  neceflary  for  making  of  hats  than  the 
fur  of  beavers. 

The  few  hats  made  of  beaver  in  the  United  States 
•will  be  fufficient  for  their  confumption. — The  Ame 
ricans  muft,  however,  be  incefTantly  told  this  great 
truth,  that  manufactures  are  not  proper  for  them  ex 
cept  in  thofe  articles  which  are  immediately  aflbciated 
M'ith  agriculture,  and  which  facilitate  its  operations. 
That  of  hats  is  not  of  this  kind. 

Europe  will  therefore  furnifh  hats  to  the  Ameri 
cans.  And  of  what  great  importance  is  this  object, 
when  the  rapid  increafe  of  their  population  is  con- 
iidered?  It  may  be  affirmed,  that  every  nation  ca 
pable  of  fending  them  out  merchandize,  will  fend 
them  hats;  but  thofe  of  France  will  have  the  prefe 
rence.  This  manufacture  had  there  its  origin.  The 
French  alone  hav<e  carried  it  elfewhere,  like  many 
other  things;  but  it  has  never  ceafed  to  improve  in 
Trance. 

French  hats  are  always  the  befl  fulled  and  dyed, 
and  the  mofl  agreeable.  When  government  mall 
have  refolved  to  do  for  wools  that  which  it  has  done 
for  mulberry  trees,  the  manufacture  of  hats  will  be 
ib  much  the  more  advantageous,  as  we  lhall  be  lefs 

tributary 


UNIT!1.  9  STATES  OF  AMERICA..  97 

fHt&tary  to  foreigners  for  the   articles   employed 
sherein. 

SECTION  VIII. 

Leather. 
Sfoffs,  Boots,   Saddles,  &c. 

To  what  caufe  ought  the  great  fuperiority  of  Eng~ 
lilh  leather  to  be  attributed  over  ours?  Why  is  there 
in  this  leather-work  of  all  kinds  that  neatnefs,  that 
feducing  appearance,  which  we  have  not  yet  ap 
proached?  It  mult  be  repeated,  that  in  England 
men  honour  the  profeffion  of  a  tanner,  and  pride 
themfclves  upon  it,  whilft  it  is  the  contrary  in  France. 
An  Englifh  tanner,  fhoemaker,  or  faddler,  does  not 
^uit  his  trade  when  he  is  rich;  but  makes  his  riches 
ferve,  in  proportion  as  they  augment,  to  give  luftre 
to  his  profeffion,  to  multiply  his  workfhops,  to  ex 
tend  his  affairs,  to  become  important  even  in  the 
article  which  has  furniilied  him  the  means  of  doing 
it.  The  leather  which  comes  from  the  tanneries 
whofe  owner  is  in  eafy  circumftances,  is  always  well 
prepared,  becaufe  he  can  advance  fums  of  money, 
and  give  to  hides  the  time  neceflary  for  their  progrefs 
through  his  tan-yard.  A  poor  tanner  is  always 
prefFed  by  his  wanting  to  take  the  leather  out  of  the 
tan-pit,  where  it  is  neceflary  it  fhould  remain  a  long 
time  to  acquire  a  good  quality.  In  general,  it  is  im- 
poffible  with  this  penury,  unknown  to  the  Englifh, 
that  there  fnould  be  time  to  manufacture  or  fabricate 
good  merchandize.  Thofe  who  employ  the  leather, 
acquire  no  reputation  in  their  profeffions  but  in 
proportion  to  great  provificns  made  before  hand, 
which  puts  it  in  their  power  to  furniih  nothing  but 
leather  improved  by  being  kept.  It  will  be  alked, 
how  the  wholefale  dealers  manage  when  they  begin 
bufinefs?  They  find  credit,  if  in  their  apprenticc- 
K  fhips, 


9  ON   THE  COMMERCE  OF  THE 

mips,  which  precede  their  eftabli(hments,'they  have 
acquired  a  good  reputation.* 

This  credit  is  then  fupported,  not  only  by  the 
certainty  of  fuccefs,  but  alfo  by  that  of  fee'ing'them 
become  a  conftant  means  of  confumption. 

Such  is  the  art  of  the  Englifh  to  fupport  and  in- 
creafe  their  commerce  in  every  thing,  and  every 
where.  If  \ve  could  put  it  in  practice,  all  our  com 
modities  of  leather  would  foon  equal  the  perfection 
of  theirs,  fince  we  do  not  otherwife  want  materials. 
Their  being  beforehand  with  us,  ought  not  to  dif- 
courage  any  body  ;  but  it  is  neceflary  to  the  fuccefs 
of  this  rivality.  that  government  fhould  deliver  the 
tanners  from  the  (hackles  with  which  they  have  fet 
tered 


*  We  may  readily  perceive,  that  this  hope  of  being  feme  day 
well  efbblifhed  with  great  fuccours,  is  worth  all  the  books  of 
morality.  The  engravings  of  Hogarth,  which  reprefent  the 
fate  of  the  idle  apprentice,  paint,  to  the  life,  Engli/h  manners. 
The  intention  of  the  workman  is  not  to  become  SECRETAIRE 
DU  Roi.j|  He  marries  the  daughter  of  the  good  matter  who 
has  brought  him  up,  and  fucceeds  him  in  the  fame  bufinefs  which 
he  has  contributed  to  extend. 

It  is  not  that  the  French  tanner,  who  barters  his  prcfcfrion 
again/I  a  brevet  of  Secretaire  du  Roi,  cr  commiflyry  of  \v»r, 
ought  to  be  blamed.  He  reafons  well.  He  fees  that  no  con 
federation  is  attached  to  talents  and  induftry,  and  he  delays  not 
to  buy  himfelf  a  title.  It  is  therefore  wrong  to  j"ke  merchants 
and  artizans,  who,  for  money,  get  themfelvss  enregiirered  in  a 
privileged  clafs.  It  is  an  evil  to  the  irate,  but  it  is  not  the  fault 
of  thofe  who  purchafe.  The  fault  is  due  to  the  kind  of  difrrace 
from  which  government  has  not  yet  delivered  the  ignoble. 

It  ought  to  be  obferved  here,  how  fatal  the  fpecuiation  v.hich 
eft-biifted  this  order  of  things  has  been  to  the  nation.  To  pro 
cure  money,  offices  werecreatec;  \\hich,  b?  ennobling,  induces 
the  ignoble  to  pvrchsfe  them  ;  they  are  difgufted  with  their  fitua- 
tion  by  .te'ng  ciifhcnoured,  and  for  a  few  millions  of  livres, 
which  'his  pitiful  operation  fi'wly  procures,  commerce  is  ruined 
by  having  its  cap:tal  dirnini/hed  :  that  commerce,  which,  by 
being  fupported,  would  continually  produce  millions  to  the  ftate. 

}|  A  petty  title  of  bought  difcinc"lion,  which,  in  the  language 
of  ridiculous  pride/ is  conftrued  into  nobility. 


UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA.  99 

tered  them,*  and  fupprefs  or  diminifh  the  enormous 
duties  with  which  the  tanneries  are  loaded. f 

K  2  SECTION 


*  Two  caufes  have  ilngularly  contributed  to  rum  the  tan 
neries  in  Fiance.  The  confiderable  duties  impofed  fucceffiveiy 
upon  leather  (fupprelled  afterwards  in  part  through  prudence) 
and  efTentially  the  fevere  infpection  that  the  COMMIS  (in  this 
cafe  a  kind  of  excifeman)  may  make  every  hour  of  the  day  and 
night  at  the  tanners.  Nothing  difgufts  a  man,  who  has  fome 
energy,  more  with  his  profefiion,  than  this  difgraceful  fervitiui«, 
than  the  fear,  than  theconftraint  which  arifes  from  the  idea  of 
being  dirturbed  at  every  moment,  by  his  fire- fide,  by  contempti 
ble  fatellites  who  live  on  the  mifchief  only  which  they  do,  and 
whom  the  certainty  of  impunity,  intercft  and  habitude,  renders 
unmerciful,  infolent,  and  frequently  perjured. 

Confiderable  procefies  have  been  feen  to  arife  from  thefe 
vilits,  and  very  rich  tanners  to  quit  a  profeflion  which  promifed 
them  nothing  but  torment,  angui/h,  lofs  and  law  fuits.  It 
will  be  a  long  time  before  tha  evil  which  the  farm  has  done 
t)  the  tannaries  be  repaired.  Interested  men,  who  think  to 
confole  us  for  real  tvils,  which  we  fun\:r,  by  thofe  which  they 
i-.ippoie  amon^j  our  neighbours,  fay  and  repeat,  that  the  fame 
vexation  of  COMMIS  and  of  cuftcms  produces  in  England  the 
fame  effects.  This  may  fometimes  happen  j  but  there  is  a  law 
to  punilh  them,  without  a  hope  of  pardon,  when  they  overleap 
the  boundaries  prefcribed  to  them.  And  thefe  boundaries  are 
much  more  contracted  than  ours,  which  the  following  fadl  will 

Two  officers  of  the  excife,  having  taken  it  into  their  heads 
to  follow  a  man  carrying  a  hamper  of  wine  to  the  houfe  of  a 
particular  perfon,  entered  with  him  in  contempt  of  the  lawj 
the  matter  of  the  houfe  called  Ibme  conftables  and  charged  them 
with  the  officers:  they  were  taken  before  Alderman  Hamett, 
who  read  the  Acl  of  Parliament  to  the  culprits,  and  fent  then*. 
to  prifon,  for  having  violated  the  rights  of  citizens. 

Mercure  politique  1786,  p.  286, 

•}-  The  following  is  a  lift  of  duties  paid  on  leather,  whether 
it  be  French  cr  foreign;  and  it  muft  be  here  obferved,  that 
the  leather  of  France  is  far  from  fupplying  our  wants.  We 
get  the  greatcft  part  of  that  which  we  confumc  from  the  Spa- 


IOO  ON  THE   COMMERCE   OF   THE 

SECTION  IX. 

Glafs  Hottfes. 

Englilb  glafs  ware  is  brought  to  great  perfection, 
and  England  makes  it  a  great  objetft  of  exportation. 

America 

nifh  and  Portuguefe  colonies,  from   the  Levant,  and  from  the 
coail  of  Barbary. 

Green  leather,  French  or  foreign,  pays  on     livres        fols 
entering  the  kindom  by  the  hundredweight          j  5 

Leather  worked  up  or  tanned,  pays  after 
wards  the  following  duties 

Leather  and  fkins         -       z  f.  per  pound 

Goat  fkins          -  4 

Ten  fois  per  pound,  which  gives  more  up 
on  leather  i 

Goat  fkins  z 

Genera!  average         -          4     & 
an.i  by  the  hundred  weight  -  22  1O 

Cudom  to  the  general  farm          -  c,  o 

Total    25         15 


Leather  and  fkins  pay  a  duty  of  a  third  of  their  value. 

When  in  1759  a  duty  was  impofed,  the  king  ordained  that 
thefe  two  fols  upon  leather  and  jfcins,  and  the  four  fols  upon 
goat  fkins,  fhould  be  reimburfed  to  the  manufacturer,  when  he 
fhould  have  fent  his  merchandize  abroad. 

But  adminiftration  demanded  and  obtained  leave  to  reim- 
burfe  two-third*  only. 

Since  that  time  there  has  been  a  new  import  of  ten  fols  per 
pound,  which  makes  the  duty  one  i'ol  more  upon  leather,  and 
two  fois  upon  goat  fkins. 

This  new  duty  has  completed  the  ruin  of  the  tanneries. 

There  ii  another  abufe,  which  merits  to  be  ob!erved.  It  is 
that  the  admiiiJittetion  receives  its  duties  undiminiflied  upon 
Jeather  half  rotten,  fcraped  or  tanned. 

After  thefe  iadts,  it  miy  be  comprehended,  that  the  tsnners 
in  France  are  reduced  to  a  faiajl  number,  and  are  in  general 
miferabie. 


important  n'Ac  relative  to  tie  article  of  leather. 
he  note  on  the  duties  paid  on  leather,  is  true  with  refpect 
to  the  reality  of  the  duties  j  but  we  have  been  convinced,  fince 


n 

T 


UNITED  STATES  OF   AMERICA.  1OI 

America  ought  to  prefer  Englifh  glafs  to  ours,  be- 
eaufe  we  ourielves  prefer  it  to  that  of  our  own  ma- 
nufaclory,  common  bottles  excepted,  which  we 
make  better,  and  which  are  of  a  finer  glafs  than  that 
of  the  Englifli.  But  although  this  opinion  may  hurt 
the  interett  of  thofe  who  have  fuch  eftabliftiments, 
it  is  neceflary  to  fay,  that  France,  far  from  encou 
raging  them,  cfjght  to  wifli  for  their  deftruction. 
This  kind  of  manufacture  deffroys  combuftibles,  of 
which  the  rapid  progrefs  is  alarming,  when  it  is  com- 
•pared  to  the  flownefs  with  which  they  are  produced. 
TheEnglifl),feated  upon  their  coal  mines,  are  little 
uneafy  about  the  voracity  of  furnaces  wherein  glafs 
is  melted;  but  although  it  be  faid  that  we  have  the 
fame  advantage,  it  is  ftill  permitted  to  doubt  of  it. 
And  moreover  it  is  not  fufficient  to  have  immenfc 
coal  mines  under  foot,  it  is  neceflary  to  be  able  to 
work  them  at  a  little  expence.  Glafs  man-u factories, 
placed  within  the  reach  of  mines,  fhould  not  be  too 
far  diftant  from  the  fea,  for  the  tranfports  becoming 
expenfive,  would  give  to  the  Englifn  an  advantage 
over  us,  who,  from  every  part  oftheir  ifland,  can  eafily 
get  to  the  fea.  Finally,  our  own  confumption  of 
glafs-ware,  much  greater  than  that  of  the  Englifli, 
may  already  be  too  confiderable,  if  it  be  compared 
with  the  means  to  which  the  ever  growing  fcarcity 
of  combuflibles  reduces  us.* 

K  3.  To 

the  note  was  printed,  that  a  middle  price  cannot  be  fettled  be 
tween  hides  and  calf  and  goat  fkins.  There  are  at  ieaft  two 
hundred  of  the  two  firit  for  one  of  the  laft.  We  have  been 
equally  convinced,  that  the  hundred  weight  of  fkins  bought  at 
thirty-feven  livres,  and  fold  after  the  tanning  at  fixty-four 
livres  fixteen  fols,  produces  to  the  tanner  a  profit  of  no  more 
than  five  livres  five  fols. 

This  eafily  explains  how  the  tanners  have  been  ruined. 

TRANSLATOR. 

*  The  fcarcity  of  wood,  which  begins  to  be  maaifeft,  be 
comes  fo  much  the  more  alarming,  as  combuftibles  which  have 
bean  attempted  to  be  fubftituted  for  it  have  not  fuccecded,  ani- 


OS    Till.    COMMERCE   OF  THE 

To  be  fully  convinced  that  we  ought  not  to-  put 
glafs-ware  into  the  lift  of  articles  of  exportation  to 
America,  it  is  only  neceflary  to  reflect  upon  the  fitua- 
tionof  the  United  States.  They  have  immenfe  forefts 
to  clear,  confequently  it  is  highly  proper  that  they 
fhould  eftablifh  glafs  manufactories,  and  increafe 
them  as  much  as  poffible.  The  labour  employed  to 
deftray  the  woods  for  the  clearing"of  lands,  at  the 
fame  time  that  it  difpofes  the  land  to  culture,  will 
ferve  for  the  production  of  a  very  extenfive  object 
of  manufacture,  therefore  the  utility  of  this  deftruc- 
tion  is  double  to  the  Americans.*  It  cannot  be 
doubted,  that  this  consideration  will  ftrike  them,  that 
they  w  ill  one  day  conceive  the  project  of  furnifhing 
Europe  with  glafs-ware,  of  adding  thisarticle  to  thofe 
which  they  can  exchange  for  fuch  European  pro 
ductions  as  are  improper  for  little  ftates  to  cultivate 
or  manufacture  within  themfelves.  It  can  be  no 
more  doubted,  that  France  will  gain  greatly  by  feting 
her  glafs  manufactories  deftroyed  by  thofe  of  the  A- 
mericans,  who  will  fell  us  glafs-ware  in  exchange 
for  our  wines,  cloths,  printed  linens,  filks,  £c.  la 
the  mean  time,  it  would  undoubtedly  be  a  falutary 
meafure,  to  open  the  kingdom  to  the  importation  of 
foreign  glais. 

SECTION 

that  luxury  and  population  naturally  inclined  to  increafe,  efpe- 
cialiy  with  commerce,  the  confumption  of  combuftibles  will  be 
doubled. 

*  This  is  what  is  done  in  New- Jerfey  for  the  forges.  It-is 
jEipoffible,  fays  the  au-thor  of  the  CULTIVATED R  AMERI 
CA  jNj  to  travel  acrofs  this  province  without  meeting  with  forne 
little  iron  forges.  If  a  proprietor  has  a  great  marfh  full  of 
\vood,  and  that  he  wifhes  to  clear  it,  he  begins  by  making  a 
ctyke  at  one  extremity  to  flop  the  water  of  the  rivulets  which 
run  aerofs  it.  He  fixes  in  this  water  the  wheels  neceflary  for 
the  manufacture  of  iron,  &c.  And  in  a  fmall  number  of  years 
the  traveller,  who  had  feen  in  pafllng  by  nothing  but  a  vaft 
pond  full  of  trees  thrown  down,  and  had  heard  the  noifeof  ham-, 
suers  aiid  anvils,  fees  welltaclofsd  fields,  valt  meadows,  &ce 


UNITED  STATES  OF   AMERICA.  fO3' 

SECTION    X. 
Iron  and  Steel. 

The  confumption  of  thefe  two  articles  is  immenfc 
in  the  United  States;  the  fingle  article  of  nails 
amounts  to  confiderable  fums.  This  will  not  appear 
extraordinary,  when  it  is  remembered,  that  all  the 
houfes,  all  the  inclofures  of  the  Ameicans,  are  of 
wood,  that  they  build  a  great  number  of  fliips,  which  < 
require  frequent  reparations. 

It  is  the  fame  with  refpect  to  faws,.  fhovels,  hoes, 
and  in  general  all  the  inftruments  neceflary  to  agri 
culture  and  navigation. 

The  Americans  are  fingularly  curious  in  the  choice 
of  the  firft  neceffity.  They  have  therein  the  gene 
ral  tafte  of  the  Englifli;  they  will  have  that  only 
which  is  good.  On  comparing  thofe  which  they 
make  themfelves  with  the.  tools  made  in  France,  it 
muft.be.-  acknowledged  that  we  are  far  from  that  per 
fection  at  which  they  are  arrived  in  them:  this  per^- 
fection  is  owing  to  the  eafe  of  the  labourer,  and  to 
the  confideration  attached  to  agriculture.  Imper 
fection  is  a  neceffar.y  confequence  of  reftnunt  and 
difhonour. 

The  Americans  have  attempted  to  make  iron  and 
fleel.  Many  manufactories  have  been  fet  up  at  New^- 
York,  in  New-Jerfey,  and  in  Pennfylvania:  it  is 
true  that  thefe  manufactures  are  few  in  number,  but 
they  will  neceflarily  increafe  for  the  reafons  which 
I  mall  hereafter  give. 

England  heretofore  exported  a  confidcrable  quan 
tity  of  iron. and  fteeU*  her  mines  not  having  yet  fur- 

niflied 

*  To  favour  the  exportation  of  thefe  articles,  the  parliament 
had  forbidden  all  the. eftabli foment  of  mills  and  other  machines 
in.  the  United  States  for  making  of  Aeel.  See  25  Geo.  II  ch. 
09.  fe&.  10. 

Jt  may  be  judged  by  this  cucumftaiKs  to  what  a  point  the 


IO4  ON  THE   COMMERCE   OF  THE 

niflied  iron  proper  for  certain  inftruments,  fhe  had 
recourfe  to  thofe  of  Ruflia,  and  efpecially  to  thofe  of 
Sweden,  whofe  iron  and  fteelare  moft  efteemed.  She 
did  no  more  with  regard  to  America  than  ftand  be 
tween  her  and  others,  and  this  circuit  augmented  the 
expences  of  the  colonift,  without  procuring  him  any 
benefit.  This  will  exifl  no  longer,  becaufe  the  A- 
mericans  are  about  to  trade  dire6tly  with  the  Swedes 
and  Ruffians. 

Lord  Sheffield  calculates,  that  one  year  with  ano 
ther  England  imported  50,000  tons  of  foreign  iron, 
of  which  from  15  to  20,000  was  afterwards  exported 
to  the  colonies  either  in  its  natural  ftate  or  worked  np, 

The  profit  to  the  mother  country  was,  according 
to  his  Lord{hip,  12,000,000  lives,  or  thereabouts. 

During  the  war,  and  fince  the  peace,  fome  exports 
of  this  kind  have  been  made  from  France  to  the 
United  States;  but  they  did  not  fucceed.  Accuftom- 
ed,  according  to  the  principles  of  monopolizers,  who 
have  hitherto  directed  our  foreign  commerce,  to  fur- 
nim.  our  colonies  with  brittle  utenfils,  and  otherwife 
very  imperfect,  our  merchants  were  willing  to  treat 
the  independent  Americans  like  their  (laves  in  their 
iflands;*  and  the  Americans  refufed  our  merchan- 

dife. 

mother  country,  or  rather  the  monopolizers,  can  carry  avari- 
cioufnefsj  fince  the  Americans  were  forbidden  to  enjoy  thofe 
advantages  which  nature  had  thrown  before  them.  Mono 
poly  refpefts  nothing.  When  thcfe  attempts  are  confidered, 
ought  we  to  be  furprifed  at  the  eternal  mifundemanding  be 
tween  colonies  and  the  mother  country,  a  mifunderftanding 
which  finishes  either  by  the  ruin  of  the  former,  or  their  fepa- 
ration  from  the  latter  r' 

*  The  Chamber  of  Commerce  of  Marfeilles,  in  an  inftruc- 
tion  very  well  drawn  up,  addrefied  in  1784*10  the  merchants, 
had  recommended  them  to  a£t  contrarily — "  Recollecl,"  faid  it, 
"  that  you  hava  not  ignorant  or  enflaved  colon i ft s  to  treat  with,- 
*'  but  a  free  people;  and,  confequently,  rapidly  tending  to  per- 
tr  fedVion.  If  you  v/ifii  to  fucceed,  aft  with  fidelity,  upon  ex- 
"  tended  and  liberal  views/'  &c.  &c. 

I  have  u»t  scad  this  iftflrudion.     A  man  of  letters,  wbo  has 


UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA.  IO$ 

dife.  They  faid,  that  we  did  not  even  know  how- 
to  make  nails;  and,  in  ftrift  truth,  they  were  right 
in  their  allertion.  They  preferred  the  iron  and  fteel 
of  England,  although  the  duties  on  exportation  in- 
creafed  their  dearnels. 

It  is  probable  enough  that  the  Englifh  legiflature 
will  fupprefs  them  according  to  the  advice  of  Lord 
Sheffield;  and  this,  joined  to  the  benefit  of  the  ceco- 
nomy  procured  by  the  difcovery  of  LordDundonald, 
and  of  Meflrs.  Watts  and  Boulton,  for  heating  fur 
naces  at  half  the  common  expence,  will  undoubtedly 
produce  a  reduction  in  the  price  of  iron. 

This  diminution  is  one  of  the  caufes  which  muft 
necefiarily  hinder  us  from  attemptinga  rivality  in  this 
particular  with  the  Englim;  but  there  is  another, 
which  is  ftill  more  decifive. 

In  fa6t,  the  obfervations  made  heretofore  upon  the 
neceffity  of  deflroying  our  glafs  manufactories,  ap 
ply  naturally  to  that  confiderable  branch  of  iron 
work,  of  which  the  workmanfhip  is  the  leaft  ex- 
pence,  and  which  requires  a  great  quantity  of  com- 
buftible  materials.  The  United  States  are  obliged 
to  deftroy  their  immenfe  forefts:  France  ought,  on 
the  contrary,  to  think  of  re-producing  hers:  there 
fore,  the  founderies  and  forges  will  offer  in  America 
the  advantage  of  turning  to  profit  woods,  which, 
without  thefe.manufa£tures,  it  would  be  equally  ne- 
ceflary  to  burn:  whilft  in  France,  wood  and  char 
coal  becoming  every  day  more  fcarce  and  dear,  ren 
ders  thefe  eftablilhments  more  expenfive.  Now,  as 
the  abundance  in  which  iron  mines  are  every  where 

found, 

refided  'a  long  time  In  the  country,  has  given  me  the  ideas  of  if, 
which  1  have,  related.  We  muft  not  be  Airprifed  to  find  in  the 
merchants  of  Marfeiilcs  intelligence  ON  COMMERCE  so  RARE 
ANYVM3EREBLSE.  Lefs  fiiackled,  commerce  mult  offer  more 
fuiid  ideas. 

The  fame  energy  is  found  In  an  excellent  Memorial  on  the 
Franchifes  of  this  city,  lately  published  againft  the  general  farrc,[i 
and  of  which  y/e  fhai!  have  occafion  to  fpcak. 


IO&  ON  THE  COMMERCE   OF  THE 

found,*  makes  the  price  of  iron  depend  almoft  en-- 
tirely  on  that  of  combuftibles  neceffary  to  melt  it,  it 
is  evident  that  the  United  States  have  over  us,  and 
even  over  the  Englifh,  a  considerable  advantage. 

•Moreover,  forges  are  a  part  of  the  equipage  necef- 
fary  to  country  labour;  for,  if  it  were  necefuirv  to 
feek  at  a  diftance  the  utennls  of  agriculture,  the  pro- 
grefs  of  clearing  of  lands  would  foon  be  flopped — 
the  productions  would  not  pay  the  expences.-Thefe 
would  ftill  be  increafed  by  the  repeated  neceffity  of 
fubftituting  new  utenfils  to  thofe  which  there  would 
be  no  means  of  repairing.  As  foon  as  the  people 
have  mines  of  iron — as  foon  as  they  are  led  by  the 
nature  of  things,  and  by  neceffity,, to  eftablifh  foun- 
deries  and  forges,  it  is  n-ot  a  long,  time  before  they 
renounce  all  foreign  aid  in  the  articles  of  iron;f 
therefore,  the  Americans  are,  as  I  have  obferved, 
already  provided- with  thafc  eftablilh merits:  and  as 
Englifli  induftry  has  eflablifhed  and  directed  them, 
they  are  all  at  that  degree  of  perfection  which  we 
have  not  yet  attained.... 

Let  it  be  remarked,  that  thefe  manufactures  being 
joined  to  a  life  of  agriculture,  and  carried  on  in  the 
midft  of  it  for  its  ufes,  can  have  none  of  the  perni 
cious  influences  which  ought  to  be  feared  in  thofe 
complicated  manufactures  which  are  obliged  to^be 
concentrated  in  the  inclofures  of  citks,  whofe  de 
ft  motive 


*  It  is  now  proved,  that  there  are  many  of  them  in  Ame 
rica.  Mines  of  tin,  and  of  very  good  cop;  er,  have  alfo  been 
difcov?red  there. 

•\-  Perhaps  nails  muft  be  excepted.  Their  price  will  be  a 
long  time  in  Europe  lower  than  in  America.  If,  as  Mr.  Smith 
afferts  in  his  Treatife  on  the  Wealth  of  Nations,  a  young  man 
of  twenty  years  of  age  can  make  2,400  nails  a  day,  let  it  be 
}udged  to  what  a  degree  of  cheapness  low-priced  workmanihip 
ought  to  reduce  them  }  therefore,  wherever  workmanfhip  is  dear, 
mils  cannot  be  made.  Yet  we  read  in  the  American  Gazettes, 
that  there  has  been  eftabliflied  in  one  of  the  States  a  manufacture. 
«f  nails.  Will  this  fucceed?—  Futurity  will  fhcvv  us. 


"UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA.  107 

ctructive  employ  exhatifts  the  natural  ftrength  of 
men,  by  corrupting  their  morals. 

Therefore,  to  refume  this  article — far  from  en 
couraging  the  exportation  of  iron  manufa<5hired  in 
France,  we  ought,  for  our  own  intereft,  to  encou 
rage  the  importation  of  foreign  iron,  becaufe  manu 
factures  of  this  kind  take  away  combuftibles  from 
things  moreprefiii-igly  wanted,  and  from  lefs  deftruc- 
tive  manufactures,  where  vvorkmanfiiip  produces  a 
greater  profit. 

This,  however,  is  not  the  cafe  with  every  article 
of  curiofity  of  iron,  ileel,  or  copper  v^ork,  wherein 
the  workmanfhip  exceeds  the  other  expences.  They 
belong  to  that  weak  organization  which  the  Ameri 
cans  ought  not  to  envy.  But  it  muft  not  be  diffimu- 
Jated,  that  a  competition  with  the  En gli ill  will,  on 
this  head,  be  difficult  to  maintain:  their  great  ability 
and  addrefs  in  the  diftribution  of  work  and  different 
procefTes,  the  invention  of  which  has  not  been  con- 
framed  by  any  error*  or  falfe  view  of  the  admiui- 

ftration 

*  Thofe  falfe  views  cannot  be  too  much  deplored— thofe  nar 
row  ideas — thofe  fears  of  ignorance,  which  (hatch  from  the 
hands  of  induftry  the  happy  inventions  which  are  proper  to  en 
rich  a  whole  nation  !  Who  can  calculate  the  riches  that  England 
owes  to  the  fole  application  of  the  coining-mill,  or  engine  and 
dye,  vvhofe  free  ufe  ha:>  been  left  to  all  the  manufactures  which 
it  was  capable  of  improving  in  accelerating  their  efFe&s  ?  How 
many  proceedings  more  ingenious  and  expeditious  has  this  mi- 
chine  produced?  Happily  for  England,  there  have  not  been 
found  in  her  bofom  thofe  able  minifters,  who,  feeing  that  this 
machine  is  of  ufe  in  making  money,  have  drawn  from  it  the 
profound  confequence  that  every  one  would  make  falfe  money 
if  the  free  ufe  of  it  were  permitted  :  as  if  it  was  poflible  to  make 
falfe  money  for  a  long  time;  as  if  the  more  general  ufe  of  the 
machine  did  not  awaken  the  public,  and  even  private  intereft, 
and  render  them  more  attentive  to  abufes  which  might  be  com 
mitted;  as  if  its  ufe  would  not  produce  much  more  benefit  to 
the  revenue,  than  it  could  deprive  it  of  by  the  falfe  coinage  of 
money,  which  can  never  be  either  extenfive  or  dangerous.— 
When,  therefore,  will  thofe  who  hold  die  reins  of  empire  calcu 
late  like  ftatefrnen  ? 


IO8  ON  THE  COMMERCE  OF  T».IE 

ilration  of  England,  -give  them  over  us  a  confider- 
able  advantage;  yet  it  is  not  impoffible  for  us  to  ba 
lance  it,  for  this  diftribution  of  work  and  proceed 
ings  are  neither  fecrets  norfuperior  to  French  induf- 
try.  Let  government  adopt  and  follow  the  trivial 
maxim — c  Whowillhavetheend  willfind  the  means.' 
Let  it  in  confequence  not  interdict  any  of  the  means, 
and  this  induftry  will  not  have  to  envy  the  fuccefs  of 
our  rivals. 

SECTION 


It  is  true  that  at  prefent  artifts  are  permitted  to  have  mills, 
&c.  by  conforming  themfelves  to  certain  formalities,— always 
formalities  ?  No  other  are  required  in  England  than  thofe  of 
being  able  to  pay  the  expence  of  the  machine, — and  has  Eng 
land  perceived  from  it  any  pernicious  effects  ?  Has  falfe  money 
overturned  public  order,  iinpoveriihed  the  nation,  or  diminished 
her  revenues? 

With  what  difficulty  has  the  invention  of  the  coining-mill 
made  its  way  into  France  ?  It  is  due  to  an  induftrious  French 
man  of  the  fifteenth  century,  named  Briois.  Perfecuted  for 
this  difcovery,  he  was  obligee  to  take  refuge  in  England  5  the 
Engli/h  received  him  favourably,  and  put  his  invention  into 
execution.  Another  Frenchman  of  the  name  of  Warin,  of 
the  laft  century,  wished  to  procure  the  advantages  of  it  to  his 
countrymen;  he  experienced  a  like  abfurd  perfecution  ;  and  with 
out  the  fupport  of  the  Chancellor  Sequier,  he  would  have  failed 
in  his  attempt. — I  do  not  allow  myfelf  to  fpeak  of  the  per 
fection  to  which  M.  Droz  pretends  to  have  brought  the  coin 
ing  mill  at  prefent;  but  by  the  vexations  he  fuffers,  it  may  be 
judged  that  he  has  in  fact  fimplified  that  machine,  that  he  has 
rendered  fewer  hands  neceffary,  and  the  coinage  of  money  more 
perfect  and  expeditious ;  two  advantages  very  precious  in  thif  art, 
as  the  expences  of  it  cannot  be  too  much  reduced,  and  the  ex 
actitude  and  perfe£lion  of  the  flamp  of  money  are  the  fureft 
means  of  difconcerting  coiners.  What  fatal  genius  is  it  there 
fore  which  purfues  induftry  in  France  ?  That  of  companies, 
of  corporations,  of  privileges.  As  foon  as  a  happy  difcovery 
attacks  their  profits,  they  employ  even  the  bafeft  means  to  de 
fend  them  ;  int-igue,  faifchood,  feduction,  are  all  legitimate 
with  the  people  which  comp'>fe  thofe  afTociations,  whiift  the 
man  of  genius,  (landing  alone  for  the  moft  part,  and  who  at 
taches  too  great  a  value  to  his  time  to  proftitute  it  to  thefe 
manoeuvres,  generally  experiences  ths  mcft  humiliating  dif^uffo. 


NITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA.  1O$ 

SECTION  XL 

and  Silverfmitlis*  Artitles9ClQck-IW9rk)  CuV. 

If  the  inhabitants  of  the  United  States  concentrate 
their  labours  and  pleafure  in  a  life  of  huibandry  ;  if 
they  continue  to  feek  happinefs,  not  in  pomp,  but  in 
naturc  herfelf,  and  in  a  fimplicity  of  manners;  in 
that  fimplicity  which  naturally  produces  eafe,  and 
the  population  and  profperity  of  ftates;  they  will  not 
feek  after,  but  diidain  plate  and  jewels,  to  which  we 
attach  fo  great  a  price.  They  will  referve  precious 
metals  for.  mints  and  commerce.  It  is  not,  however, 
to  be  prefumed,  that  this  order  of  things  mould  long 
fubfifl  in  great  cities,  and  efpecially  in  frequented 
ports;  European  tafteand  wants  prevail  in  America,* 
and  French  induftry  ought  to  be  anxious  to  f'upply 
their  confumption,  feeing  that  the  French  can  un- 
derfell  the  Englifh  in  thefe  articles. 

But  it  is  probable  that  the  plated  ware  (copper 
plated  with  filver)  invented  in  England  will  take 
place  in  the  United  States  of  that  of  filver  plate,  as 
painted  paper  has  replaced  there  much  more  expen- 
iive  hanging  ;  this  new  fort  of  plate  has  for  ufe  all 
the  advantages  of  the  other,  and  coils  a  great  deal  lefs. 

How  comes  it  that  the  Englifh  are  already  fo  ad 
vanced  in  this  branch  of  induftry,  vvhilft  there  exifh 
in  France  but  one  or  two  manufactures  where  copper 
is  plated  on  one  fide  only,  and  filvered  over  on  the 
other?  How  have  the  Englifh  already  carried  this  in 
vention  to  fo  high  a  degree  of  perfection  ?  How 
have  they  made  of  it  a  matter  of  extenfive  commerce, 
L  whilft 

*  Plate  isufed  in  the  Southern  States— magnificence  is  feen 
there;  on  which  account,  travellers  having  but  little  philofophy, 
/peak  highly  of  them : — but  obferve  what  is  attached  to  this 
luxury,— flavery  reigns  in  the  South,  and  there  are  many  poor. 
—There  are  none  in  the  Northern  States,— no  plats  is  there 
«fed. 


HO  ON  THE  COMMERCE  O.F  TK1 

xv hi  1ft  we  are  reduced  to  the  two  manufactures 
wherein  no  progress  is  feen,  and  where  the  inferiority 
of  the  workman  (hip  difgufts  thofe  who  would  other- 
wife  find  it  to  their  advantage  to  make  life  of  this 
kind  of  plate  ? 

Thefe  manufactures  have  an  exclufive  privilege  : 
there  is  the  word — Government  fearing  leftfalfe  mo 
ney  might  be  made  in  them,  has  forbidden  even  the 
plating  on  both  fides. 

Reafonmg  would  here  be  fuperfluous:  it  is  fuf- 
ficient  to  open  the  eyes  to  fee  which  of  the  two  ad- 
mi nitrations  has  beft  ferved  its  country;  whether  it 
be  that  of  England,  by  not  cramping  induftry,  and 
in  not  giving  way  to  fears,  whofe  illufion'is  (hewn 
by  the  moft  trifling  obfervation,  or  ours,  in  follow 
ing  a  contrary  plan.  Again,  was  it  apprehended, 
that  counterfeit  crowns  would  be  made  by  millions; 
as  a  facrifice  is  made  to  this  fear  of  an  indufhy 
which  would  certainly  produce  many  millions  of 
them  ? 

Thus,  when  we  confider  all  thefe  articles,  wherein 
trifling  confiderations  mall  be  our  induftry,  and  con 
demn  to  mediocrity  our  means  of  profperity;  when 
we  thence  turn  our  attention  towards  the  different 
'fpirit  which  governs  England,  it  is  aftonifhing  that 
induftry  ftill  exifts  in  France,  and  that  the  nation 
does  not  fall  into  iloth,  and  remain  there.  Let  us 
give  thanks  unto  nature,  who  has  richly  gifted  us,  arid 
her  guardian  ftrength  has  hitherto  demonftrated  itfelf 
fuperior  to  the  malignant  influence  of  the  falfe  fcience 
of  our  adminiftrators.* 

Shall 

*  A  curious  and  more  ufeful  work  would  be,  a  faithful  and 
flftore  rational  hiftory  of  all  the  errors  into  which  the  rage  of 
regulating  and  prohibiting  has  thrown  adminiftration.  It  is 
Very  probable  that  the  refult  would  be,  that  French  commerce 
has  always  profpered,  in  proportion  to  the  inexecution  of  re 
gulations;  that  in  caufing  them  to  be  rigoroufly  executed, 
foreign  commerce  has  been  favoured  and  enriched.  The  fpirit 
«f  invsntiou  and  induftry  which  ow  prohibitory  regimen  has 


tT'N'lTED  S'TAtES  OF  AMERICA.  Iff 

Shall  we  remain  behind  the  Englifn  and  Swifs  in 
dock- work?  The  Americans  mud  have  watci 
this  admirable  invention  carries  with  it  Inch  a  degree 
©f  utility  for  even  the  poor  clafles  of  fociety,  that  it 
Ought  not  to  be  confidered  as  a  fimple  acquifition  of 
luxury,  efpecially  in  the  United  States,  where  the 
di fiance  of  habitations  one  from  another  msik^s  the 
neceffity  of  it  moft  fully  perceived. 

But  watches  muff  be  madegood  and  at  a  cheap  rate; 
thefe  two  conditions  will  allure  them  a  prodigious 
fale  wherever  civilization  exiils;  time  is  there  a  pre 
cious  property,  and  its  price  renders  the  ihftr'unient 
neceflary  which  divides  it:  they  will  be  made  good 
and  at  a  cheap  rate,  when  able  artifts  are  confulted.* 

This  fpecies  of  manufacture  will  always  belong  to' 
great  cities,  where  the  excefs  of  population  keeps 
^vork man flii p  at  a  low  price,  where  the  difficulty  of 
fubfifting  enflaves  that  crowd  of  weak  and  indolent 
beings  which  are  under  the  law  of  the  rich  under- 
L-  2-  taker. 

cVvelcped  on  foreign  nations,  was  never  perhaps  fufpecTed  j 
r.t-kher  the  innumerable  quantity  of  workshops  which  are  there 
ccnftrutSted,  in  proportion  to  the  multiplication  of  exclufive 
privileges  in  France.  Thus,  that  of  the  India  Company  has 
i.iijc  Switzerland  like  the  Eaft-Incies,  for  the  manufacture  of 
•;,  and  plain  and  painted  linens. 

*  Paris  ha*,  produced  fome  very  di/lingu'flied  ones  5  thtfy 
honoured  their  art  becaufe  they  had  great  ienfe  and  ingenuity, 
.Mi '  had  been  we)!  intruded  ;  but  their  pupils,  for  the  moil  part 
v^rang;r?,  tird  not  having  the  fame  means  of  gaining  conlide- 
r,;tion,  wove  afraid  of  our  injudicious  manner  of  defpifing  the 
hands  which  work  at  mechanical  employments,  and  quitted  the 
country.  We  have  at  prcfent  a  Swifs,  M.  Erequct,  vvhofc  ta- 
jents  a:e  equal,  if  not  fuperior,  to  thofe  of  the  moft  celebrated 
Englifh  watch-makers.  Happily  for  us,  his  character,  his  ele 
vated  views,  his  obliging  zeal,  command  icfpecl  in  Come  mea- 
fure,  and  place  him  above  prejudices.  Let  government  confult 
him,  and  he  will  foon  indicate  certain  means  whereby  France 
may  have  a  national  manufacture  of  clock  and  watch-work. 

We  are  informed  that  he  has  preferred  to  the  Miniltrj'  a  pro 
found  memorial  upon  this 


112  ON  THE  COMMERCE  OP  TH2 

taker.  The  United  States  are  far  from  iuffering  this- 
difficulty  of  fubfiftence,  this  excefs  of  population  j, 
they  are  therefore  far  from  thefe  manufactures. 

SECTION  XII. 
Drfferent  Sorts  of  Paper ,  Jiained  Paper,  &c. 

This  ufeful  produ&ion  from  old  rags,  thrown  off 
Iby  people  at  eaie,  and  gathered  with  care  by  the  in 
digent,  is  daily  improved  in  France.*     The  Engliili 
themfelves  buy  our  paper  for  printing,  and  our  writ 
ing 

*  The  manufactory  of 'M.  M.  Johannot  d'Aunonay,  pro 
duces  finer  paper  than  any  other  manufactory  in  Europe,  and 
the  proof  is  firnple. — There  is  more  demand  from  Rufila,  Eng 
land,  and  Holland,  for  this  paper  than  the  manufacturer  can 
fu-rnifh}  this  fca:cenefs  of  paper  d'Aunonay  explains,  for  why, 
our  /hopkeepers  ftill  get  paper  from  Holland.  To  diminifh  this 
(carcity,  thefe  good  citizens  have  generoufly  cfFered  to  comrnue. 
nicate  their  procefa  to  all  the  manufacturers  of  paper  in  tht 
nation,  end  even  to  form  fchoals,  wherein  the  ait  of  paper- 
making  may  be  taught.  Many  perfons  have  profited  by  thsft- 
offers  j  the  itites  of  Burgundy  have  lately  fent  three  pupils— 
Thefe  manufacturers  have  proved  that  it  was  not  more  expen- 
,£ve  to  make  good  and  excellent  paper  than  that  of  a  middling 
-Duality.  M»  Le  Clerc>  who  has  a  great  paper  manufactory  at 
EUbne,  found  with  concern  that  his  manufactory  coft  him  a  great 
-deal,  and  produced  bad  paper  only  :  he  communicated  his  re- 
gret  to  M.  Johannot  j  the  latter  went  to  Ellbne  and  produced 
good  paper  with  common  paile.  This  was  certainly  a  great  fer- 
vice  done  to  France,  and  a  good  example  givtn  to  the  fordid 
avarice  of  monopolizers,  who,  not  being  able  to  do  and  embrace 
every  thing,  hinder  others  from  doing  it.  May  thefe  generous 
patriots  receive  that  honour  which  they  deferve  :•  may  their  ex 
ample  be  followed  every  where  and  by  all.  This  will  be  to  them. 
a  more  flattering  eulogium,  a  more  brilliant  and  lafting  recom- 
penfe  than  cordons  and  ribbons,  unworthy  of  true  merit,  be- 
caufe  they  are  frequently  the  price  of  intrigue,  and  the  ornament 
of  mediocrity.  The  pleafure  ef  well-doing,  and  the  fuffrages  of 
honeit  men,  are  pure  and  unchangeable  recompenfes.— The  artift 
who  does  not  know  how  to  confine  himfelf  to  thefe,  will 
do  any  thing  which  is  great. 


UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA.  113 

ing  paper  will  not  be  long  unequal  to  theirs,  if  it  does 
nor  fnrpafs  it.* 

But  if  there  be  an  object  of  commerce  for  which 
Europeans  need  not  fear  a  reciprocal  competition ; 
if  there  be  an  article  which  offers  to  all  European 
manufactures  a  certain  and  lucrative  employ,  it  is 
that  of  paper:  the  confumption  will  always  be  equal 
at  lead  to  the  production,  and  its  numerous  ufes  ia- 
fure  a  ftill  greater  confumption,  in  proportion  as  po 
pulation,  commerce,  and  knowledge,  fliali increafe. 

Every  nation  ought  therefore  to  obferve  without 
jealoufy,  that  each  country  flrives  to  have  within 
itfelf  manufactures  of  this  kind. 

The  Americans  cannot  however  enjoy  this  ad 
vantage  for  a  long  time  to  come:  befides  the  dearncf-; 
of  workmanship,  their  population  cannot  turnifh 
them  old  rags  in  quantities  fufficient  to  eilablilh 
paper  mills  whofe  productions  would  be  equal  to  the 
confiimption  of  the  inhabitants. 

Will  their  population  ever  furnim  them  with  this 
{"efficiency?  This  is  a  queftion  difficult  to  refolve. 
In  fact,  in  proportion  to  the  knowledge  which  na 
tions  may  acquire,  and  to  the  liberty  of  the  prefs, 
which  may  be  enjoyed  in  America,  a  prodigious 
quantity  of  paper  muft  be  confumed  there;  but 
can  the  population  of  this  country  produce  rags  in 
the  fame  proportion?  It  cannot  reafonably  be  hoped 
that  it  wilL  It  is  therefore  probable  that  the  Ame 
rican  markets  will  not  for  a  long  time  be  provided 
with  any  other  than  European  paper,  and  that  this 
will  find  a  place  there. f 

L  3  But 

*  Rags  are  more  fcarce,  end  confequently  dearsr,  In  Eng 
land  than  in  France,  and  they  are  articles  of  illicit  commerce 
between  the  two  countries*  There  are  very  fevere  laws  againfl 
this  commerce  ;  but  it  is,  and  ever  will  be,  carried  on,  as  long 
as  there  fhall  be  any  thing  to  be  gained  by  it. 

f  Rags  are  exceifiv*ly  dear  in  America  :  but  the  Lime  is  r.r- 
rrving  when,  by  an  increafe  of  population,  they  will  become 
plenty.  In  Pennfylvania  they  already  make  very  £ocd  paper. 


114  ON  TH1  COMMERCE   OF  THE 

But  fince  the  nfe  of  paper  is  fo  advantageous  to 
iiien,  fmce  it  is  fo  varied,  it  behoves  every  nation 
to  look  upon  foreign  confumption  as  a  fupplement 
only,  as  an  open  port  in  the  cafe  of  a  fufpenfion  of 
interior  commerce.  It  behoves  every  nation  to  keep 
paper  at  a  moderate  price  within  itfelf,  and  to'attain 
this  end,  means  mult  be  thought  of  to  increafe  ma- 
lerials  which  ferve  to  compofe  this  article,  and  to 
purfue  the  happy  attempts  already  made  to  do  it.* 
Thefe  researches  are  fo  much  the  more  eflential,  fo, 
much  the  more  urgent,  as  the  l^appy  invention  of 
coloured  paper  for  hanging  is  of  a  nature  always  to 
caufe  r,  greater  confnmption  of  paper;  and  this  man 
ner  of  hanging  with  paper  will  fubfift  for  a  long 

time, 

*  In  the  moment  of  writing  this  note,  I  have  before  me  very, 
Snterefing  eflays  on  vegetables,  and  on  the  bark  of  fevcral 
trees,  to  transform  them  into  paper;  thefe  efTays  are  due  to- 
the  refearche.s  of  M.  Delille,  to  whofe  care  the  manufacture  of 
Montargis  is  indebted  for  a  great  part  of  its  reputation.  He 
K«s  far  furpafied  that  Scheffe:,  whom  our  men  of  erudition 
have  quoted  with  fo  rr.uch  emphafis.  On  feeing  the  bocks 
which  M.  Delille  has  printed,  on  paper  made  from  a  fpecies  of 
mallows,  and  the  bark  of  the  linden  tree;  and  on  perceiving 
the  advantages  which  might  be  reaped  from  this  invention,  at 
IvMft  in  packing  and  ftained  paper,  of  which  fa  great  a  oon- 
fumption  is  made;  we  wilh-  that  this  invention  may  be  more 
and  more  known,  received  and  adopted,  as  a  means  of  remedy 
ing  the  want  of  rags  and  the  dearnefs  of  paper,  which  ought 
to  have  more  influence  than  ic  commonly  believed  on  the  pro-* 
grefi  of  knowledge. 

It  is  alraoft  impoflible  that  this  invention  rtiould  not  fooiv. 
become  general,  and  it  is  greatly  the  intereir.  of  the  free  Amc- 
jicans  to  natural'se  it  among  them. 

Strong  lies  of  lime  and  pot-afh,  and  the  intelligent  ufe  of 
vitriolic  acid,  are  great  means  of  reducing  hemp  and  flax  to 
that  kind  of  fubftance  extremely  attenuated,  foft  and  biittle,. 
v/hich  is  proper  for  making  of  paper.  It  might  be  contrived 
by  thefe  means  to  fupply  the  warjt  of  rags  by  old  cordage. 
Thefe  would  even  ferve  to  make  good  paper,  fihce  being  re 
duced  to  tow,  it  may  eafily  be  bleached.  The  attenuation  to, 
be  feared  for,  linen  is  not  fo  for  the  material  of  which  papcs  ut 
saak. 


WNtTSD  STATES  OF  AMERICA.  II $ 

time,  becaufe  it  gives  a  neat  and  agreeable  appear 
ance  to  apartments. 

No  other  is  known  in  the  United  States;  it  is  there 
imiverfal;  almofl  all  the  houfes  are  neat  and  decent, 

SECTION   XIII. 
Printing. 

The  liberty  of  the  prefs  being  a  fundamental 
principle  of  the  American  conftitution,  there  can 
be  no  doubt  that  printing  will  increafe  there.  But 
it  mil  ft  be  obferved,  that  extenlive  printing  requires 
workmen  at  a  little  expence ;  that  is  to  fay,  men 
without  property,  talents,  or  conduct;  whom  great 
cities  produce  and  employ  in  work  which  requires 
neither  intelligence  nor  emulation ;  and  it  has  already 
been  obferved,  that  the  United  States,  unlefs  the 
rage  of  great  cities  takes  pofleifion  of  them,  will 
contain  but  few  of  thefe  wretched  beings. 

Printing  will  not,  therefore,  it  may  be  prefumed, 
be  extended  among  the  free  Americans,  at  leaft  be 
yond  that  which  is  neceflary  for  the  public  prints.* 
Their  conftant  and  confiderable  fale,  permitting  a 
greater  expence  in  workmanfliip,confequently  draws 
about  the  prefs  many  individuals,  becaufe  they  have, 
in  a  good  falary,  a  view  of  the  means  of  becoming 
proprietors  or  traders, f 

The 

*  Gazettes  are  Angularly  multiplied  in  the  United  States* 
They  will  become  ftill  more  fo  with  an  increafe  of  population, 
and  this  is  an  advantage,  for  they  are  what  that  excellent  pa 
triot,  Dr.  Jebb,  called  them,  "  Centinels  which  watch  over 
public  liberty  and  the  prefervation  of  truth.'* 

•J-  However,  confiderable  works  are  fometimes  printed  in  the 
United  States,  and  of  which  the  edition  is  carefully  enough 
corrected.  I  have  fsen,  for  in{tance,  the  Memoirs,  in  quarto, 
of  the  Academies  of  Bofton  and  Philadelphia,  of  the  laft  year,., 
which  proves  at  the  fame  time  that  free  America  is  not  fo  totally 
without  typographical  eftabiifhments,  and  that  the  inhabitants, 
are  not  all  fuch  idiots  a«  a  prejudiced  German  drcaujsd  tlcy 


Il6  OK    THE   COMMERCE    OF    THE 

The  furniftifng  of  books  of  fcience  and  arnmV 
roent  rauft  therefore  make  a  considerable  object  of 
importation  into  the  United  States.  It  is  for  Francs 
to  appropriate  to  herfelf  this  commerce,  and  to  en 
courage  the  impreffion  of  Englifh  books.  Our 
workmanship  being  cheaper  than  that  of  England; 
and  the  English  making  uie  of  our  paper,  our  bind 
ing  being  lefs  expenfive,  why  ihould  not  all  the 
books  in  which  the  Americans  ftand  in  need  of.be 
printed  in  France? 

It  will  be  laid  that  we  do  not  enjoy  the  liberty  ot 
the  prefs,- — b.°  it  fo: — But  it  is  only  with  refpect 
to  our  books;*  for  undoubtedly  the  adrriihiftration 
does  not  pretend  to  extend  its  coercive  principles  to 
books  written  in  foreign  languages;  it  would  not 
attain  its  end,  feeing  that  it  does  not  do  it  with  re 
ject  to  French  books  ;f  and  by  this  impoiitical  ri 
gour 

*  Under  the  reign  of  Louh  XIV.  whofe  ambition  extended 
to  every  thing,  it  was  ferioufly  attempted  to  make  the  French 
language  univerfal.  This  abfurd  pretenfion  was  ridiculoufly 
Supported  by  the  tyranny  exercifed  upon  books  and  authors. 
This  tyranny  could  not  but  produce  bad  ones,  and  confequeut- 
ly  difguft  Grangers.  Happily  fome  judicious  men  had  the 
courage  to  make  facrifices,  and  to  get  their  works  prin'td 
abroad.  It  is  thefe  prohibited  books  which  have  enriched  the 
French  language  and  increafed  the  reputation  of  French  litera 
ture.  What  authors  are  heard  quoted  in  every  country  ?  Rouf- 
ffe-au,  Voltaire,  Helvetias,  Mo&tefquleu,  &c.  that  is  to  fay, 
men  who  have  been- patriotic  enough  to  violate  the  tyrant's  laws 
of  the  prefs. 

•f  So  that  even  more  than  half  of  the  libraries  in  France  are 
compofed  of  French  books,  printed  abroad,  for  which  there  are 
two  caufes-— the  cheapnefs  and  goodnefs  of  the  books;  the 
OCTAVO  leaf  printed,  is  commonly  fold  in  Switzerland  to  the 
public  at  nine  derniers  or  a  foJ,  and  it  cofts  three  or  four  fols 
in  France.  Prohibited  books  r.re  fold  at  Paris  at  the  fame  price 
as  books  permitted,  which  proves  the  dearnefs  of  French  print 
ing.— For  to  the  original  price  of  prohibited  books,  there  muft 
be  added  the  expences  of  carriage,  rifks  of  entry,  the  commlf- 
fions  of  different  agents,  Sec.  With  refpe<L\  to  the  goodnefs  of  the 
works,  the  beft,  as  I  have  already  obfcrved,  are  printed  abroad  -, 


UNITED  STATES  Of  AMERICA.  117 

gcur  France  would  be  deprived  of  a  lucrative  article 
of  commerce,  certain,  and  of  continual  increafe. 

The  Dutch,  fo  active  and  vigilant  in  feizing  the 
rifing  branches  of  commerce,  have  for  a  long  time 
Speculated  on  books  in  the  United  States:  many  bi 
bles  and  books  of  prayer,  for  the  ufe  of  the  Ame 
ricans,  are  printed  in 'Holland.  Lord  Sheffield  is 
obliged  to  acknowledge,  that  printing  in  Holland  is 
by  far  more  cheap  than  that  of  England,  and  of 
courfe  muft  have  the  preference.  They  will  fome 
day  extend  this  commerce  to  claiFical  books.* 

SECTION  XIV. 

Salt. 

This  article,  fo  necefiary  to  the  Americans,  and  fo 
abundant  in  France,  muft  not  be  forgotten  in  the  enu 
meration  of  commodities  to  be  imported  into  Ame 
rica.  The  Americans  will  for  a  long  time  be  obliged 
to  get  it  from  Europe;  not  that  they  have  no  fait 
marines  upon  the  coafts,  and  fait  pits  in  the  interior 
parts  of  the  country;  but  thefe  marilies,  thefe  fait 
pits,  muft  have  hands  to  work  them;  and  hands  are 
better  employed  in  the  United  States. f  The  fait  ex 
ported 

Helve  tins  has  laid  with  reafon,  l(  ON  HE  DIT   LA  VERITE, 

QJJE    DANS    LES    LIVRZS>    PROMISES,    ON    MINT    J»  A  N  S    i  X  % 
A  UTR  £S." 

*  A  man  of  letters,  who  had  remarked  the  dearnefs  of  Eng- 
Ji/h  boskc  in  France,  and  how  difficult  h  wai  to  get  them  from 
England,  thought  of  getting  the  heft  Englifh  works  re-printed 
in  Paris.  This  was  afpeculation  really  patriotic — he  abandoned 
it  after  having  got  a  few  volumes  re-printed,  probably  becaufe 
the  confumptioa  in  Franca  was  not  great  enough,  and  that  of 
England  was  not  open  to  him.  He  might  at  prefent  revive  it  ;, 
independent  America  prefents  a  great  opening  to  him. 

f  Salt,  during  the  lafe  war,  was  very  dear  in  America  ;  it 
was  worth  twenty  times  its  ordinary  price— The  deprivation  of 
this  article  was  very  fenfibly  felt  by  the  Americans,  who  con- 
fume  much  falted  provifion,  and  give  a  great  quantity  of  fait  to- 
their  cattle, 


riS  ON  THE  COMM'ERCE  OF  THfi 

ported  from  Europe  will  for  this  reafon  be  a  long- 
time  cheaper  than  that  of  America: — moreover,  its 
freight  will  coil  but  little,  as  veilels  from  Europe  may 
be  ballafted  with  it.  The  Americans  ought  to  give 
the  preference  to  French  fait;  it  is  lefs  iliarp,  lefs 
corrofive,  and  poiTeiies  a  better  quality  for  faking,, 
than  any  other  European  fait. 

The  three  millions  of  inhabitants  which  rheUniled 
States  contain  at  preftnt,  are  fuppofecl  to  confume 
fixty  million  pound  weight  of  fait,  without  reckon 
ing  that  which  is  given  to  cattle,  and  that  employed 
in  fa  king  provilions;  of  which  great  quantity  is 
con  fumed,  in  the  United  State?,  and  with  which- 
they  vviil  carry  on  a  commerce  more  and  more  con- 
fiderable:  I  will  not  at  prefent  go  into  a  calculation 
of  the  irnmenfe  riches  which  the  fnrniiliing  of  made 
falc  to  foreign  population,  continually  increafirig; 
would  produce  to  France.  1  ought  to  guard  again  it 
Exaggerations  i  but  it  may  not  be  improper  to  ob- 
ferve,  that  a  confiderable  part  of  the  States  of  the 
North  will  never  make  any  fait.  It  is  therefore  pof- 
fible  that  French  fair  may  have  a  preference  among 
them,  as  '  nore  within  their  reach  : 

the  population  of  :.  <  will  be  more  rapid  than 

that  of  the  others,  and  the  commerce  more  varied 
and  exterJive. 

SECTION  XV. 

General  C  ns  on  the  Catalogue  of  French  Iwfcr- 

'-•)  the  United  States. 

I  will  extend  no  further  the  lift  of  articles  which 
French  commerce  may  furnifh  to  the  Unite::!  States:. 
there  are  many  others  which  1  omit,  becaufe  the 
bounds  of  my  work  will  not  permit  me  to  examine 

than  the  principal  ones. 

If  faith  be  given  to  the  calculations  of  Lord  Shef- 
fuJJ,  and  of  other  political  writers,  it  appears  that 

ths 


tTNITED  STATES  OF   AMERICA.  I  T-sJ 

~v':ie  amount  of  the  exportations  of  Great-Britain  into 
free  America  was,  upon  an  average,  calculated  upon 
three  years,  taken  before  1773,  near  three  millions 
flerling,  upwards  of  feventy-tvvo  millions  of  livres 
tournois.  How  much  will  it  increafe  in  following 
the  progredion  of  population,  and  clearing  of  lands? 
It  is  efpecially  for  this  future  flate  of  things  that 
France  ought  to  prepare  her  means. 

Let  it  be  alfo  obier/ed,  that  this  commerce  em 
ployed  feven  or  eight  hundred  veiTels,  and  about  .tea 
thoufand  failors. 

Ought  France  to  let  (lip  fo  important  a  commerce, 
and  a  means  fo  natural  of  fupporting  her  marine? 
For  without  commerce  there  can  be  no  marine.  Has 
not  fhe,  in  the  richnefs  of  her  foil,  in  a  variety  of 
her  manufactures,  in  the  low  price  of  her  workman- 
fhip,  in  the  induftry  and  tafle  of  her  inhabitants,  m 
her  population,  and  in  the  iituation  of  her  ports,  an 
infinity  of  means  fufHcient  to  eftabUfh  in  America  a 
folid  and  extenlive  commerce  ?  It  muft  be  continual 
ly  repeated,  that  if  it  be  wiihed  that  peace  fhould 
reign  upon  the  earth,  the  vtoxfa .preference  and  compe 
tition,  which  are  frequently  iignals  of  difcord,  muft 
be  nled  with  circumfpe&ion.  Why  ihould  there  be 
any  jealoufy  ,with.refpe6l  to  this  commerce?  In  the 
courfe  of  time  independent  America  will  offer  a  field 
wide  enough  for  all  the  European  manufactures. 


CHAPTER 


THE  COMMERCE  OF  TH1 


CHAPTER  VI. 

<Of  tilt  Articles  which  Independent  America  may  fui~nijk 
in  return  for  Importations  from  France. 

jL\RRIVED  at  this  part  of  my  work,  I  cannot  do 
better  than  confign  to  it  the  letter  addreffed  by  M.  de 
Calonne  to  Mr.  Jefferfon,  Minifter  Plenipotentiary 
from  the  United  States  of  America. 

LETTER 

Addreffed  to  M.  Jcfferfon,  Minifter  Plenipotentiary  from 
the  United  States  of  America  to  the  Court  of  France. 


1786. 
SIR, 

The  King's  intention  being  to  favour  as  much  as 
poflible  the  commerce  of  the  United  States,  I  have 
the  honour  to  communicate  to  you  fome  difpofitions 
made  for  that  purpofe. 

By  a  letter  of  the  Qth  of  January,  1784,  to  the 
Marquis  de  la  Fayette,  I  informed  him,  that  inftead 
of  two  free  ports,  promifed  by  the  treaty  to  the 
United  States,  the  king  had  determined  to  grant  them 
four,  which  has  been  effected;  and  I  promifed  him 
to  confider  the  cuftoms  and  duties  on  importation 
and  exportation  which  fhackle  commerce;  obferv- 
ing  to  him,  that  thefe  objects  required  confiderable 
application;  they  have  not  yet  been  completed.  By 
another  letter  I  informed  the  Marquis,  that  his  Ma- 
jefty  had  fupprefied  the  duties  on  the  exportation  of 
brandy,  a  meafure  which  he  hoped  would  be  ufeful 
to  American  commerce;  I  allured  him  alfo,  that 
the  duties  of  the  king  and  admiralty,  payable  by  an 

American 


D'NlTEt)  STATES  OF  AMERICA.  121 

American  veflel  on  its  arrival  in  a  port  of  France, 
{hould  be  dirninifhed;  and  after  vards  that  fuch  of 
them  as  remained,  {hould  be  reduced  to  a  (ingle 
duty,  to  be  regulated  according  to  the  number  of 
mads  or  draught  of  water,  and  not  according  to  the 
two  uncertain  eftimation  of  gauging.  This  red uctiou 
requires  an  exact  knowledge  of  all  the  duties  received 
in  the  ports,  and  as  they  are  of  various  fpecies,  the 
ilate  which  I  ordered  to  be  drawn  up  of  them  has  not 
yet  been  given  in. 

You  know,  Sir,  the  king  has  charged  a  particular 
committee,  to  examine  our  commercial  connexions 
with  the  United  States,  and  that  the  Marquis  de  la 
Fayette  has  laid  before  it  a  project  analogous  to  the 
ideas  contained  in  your  letter  to  the  Co-tint  de  Ver- 
gennes:  but  you  mufi  perceive,  how  imprudent  it 
would  be  to  hazard,  by  a  change  of  fyftem,  the  pro 
duce  of  a  branch  of  revenue,  which  amounts  to  twen 
ty-eight  millions  of  livres,  without  falling  upon  any 
object  of  the  firft  neceffity.  After  an  ample  difcuf- 
fion  of  every  thing  which  might  at  prefent  favour  the 
importation  of  tobacco  from  America  to  France,  it 
has  been  decreed,  not  that  the  agreement  made  with 
Mr.  Morris  mould  be  departed  from,  but  that,  after 
the  expiration  of  it,  no  other  of  the  fame  import 
mould  be  made-,  and  that  in  the  mean  time  the  Far 
mers  General  {hould  be  obliged  to  purchafe  annually 
about  fifteen  thoufand  hogmeads  of  American  tobac 
co,  coming  directly  from  the  United  States  in  French 
or  American  fhips,  at  the  fame  prices  as  ftipulated  in 
the  contract  made  with  Mr.  Morris. 

You  will  recollect,  Sir,  that  whilft  the  demands 
•which  had  been  made  for  whale  oil  were  under  con- 
federation,  the  Marquis  de  la  Fayette  made  a  private 
arrangement  with  M.  Sangrain,  permitting  him  to 
receive  as  much  of  that  article  as  mould  amount  to 
«ight  hundred  thoufand  livres  tournois,  and  that  I 
had  granted  paiTports  to  exempt  this  £rft  quantity 
M  from 


122,  ON  THE  COMMERCE  OF  THE 

from  all  duties  xvhatfoever.  M.  Sangrain  made  af 
terwards  an  agreement  with  the  merchants  ofBofton 
•for  whale  oiK  to  the  amount  of  four  hundred  thou- 
i'and  livres  a  year,  for  fix  years,  for  which  his  Ma- 
jefty  has  promifed  the  fame  favours  as  enjoyed  by 
the  Hanfe  towns. 

This  manner  having  lately  been  examined  under 
a  more  general  point  of  view,  the  adminiflrstion,  to 
which  the  committee  has  made  its  report  coniform- 
able  to  the  requeft  of  the  Marquis  de  laFayette,  and 
to  your  opinion,  relative  to  the  entire  abolition  of  all 
duties  on  oils,  has  difcovered  that  it  cannot  confent 
to  it  for  the  prefent,  en  account  of  engagements  en 
tered  into  with  other  powers.  All  that  could  be 
done  was  to  infure,  for  ten  years,  whale  oil,  fper- 
maceti,  and  every  thing  comprehended  under  thefe 
denominations,  coming  from  the  United  States  in 
French  or  American  fhips,the  fame  favours  and  mo 
deration  of  duties  as  are  enjoyed  by  the  Hanle  towns. 

His  Majefty  hopes  commercial  connexions  be 
tween  the  United  States  and  France  will  become  ex- 
tenfive  enough  to  engage^im  to  continue  the  effect 
of  this  provifionary  deciiion  ;  and  as  it  has  been  ob- 
ferved  in  the  committee,  that  a  confiderable  duty  was 
paid  upon  the  making  of  the  moft  favoured  whale 
oils,  and  even  upon  national  ones,  his  Majefty  con- 
fents  to  abolifo  this  duty  with  refpecl  to  the  former, 
and  upon  fpermaceti  coming  immediately  from  the 
United  States  in  French  and  American  Ihips;  fo 
that  fpermaceti  and  thefe  oils  will  have  to  pay,  for 
ten  years  to  come,  no  more  than  feven  livres  ten 
ibis,  and  the  ten  ibis  per  pound,  for  all  manner  of 
duty;  the  laft  augmentation  of  ten  ibis  per  pound  to 
ceafe  in  1790. 

•  It  has  been  determined  to  gain  particular  infor 
mation  upon  the  confumption  in  France  of  rice  from 
Caroiina,  and  thaf  encouragement  ihould  be  given 
to  the  exportation  of  that  article. 

Upoa 


UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA.  123 

Upon  the  reprefentations  which  have  been  made, 
Touching  the  confiderable  duties  paid  on  the«*ntry  of 
pot  afh  and  pearl  am,  as  well  as  relative  to  thofe  of 
beaver  fkins  and  fur,  and  raw  hides,  his  Majefty  has 
fupprefled  all  the  duties  on  pot  afh — on  the  fur  and 
fkins  of  beavers — and  on  hides,  coming  raw  from 
the  United  States,  on  board  American  or  French 
veflels.  He  will  alfo  confider  of  proper  encourage 
ments  to  be  given  to  every  article  of  the  fkin  and  fur 
trade. 

His  Majefty  has  equally  confented  to  free  from  all 
duties,  mafts  and  yards  of  every  fpecies,  red  cedar, 
green  oak,  in  fhort,  all  timber  proper  for  the  con- 
ftruftioh  of  vefiels,  coming  from  the  United  States 
in  French  or  American  mips. 

The  committee  having  alfo  reprefented,  that  there 
was  a  duty  of  five  per  cent,  upon  the  purchafe  of 
veffels  built  abroad,  and  that  this  duty  was  prejudi 
cial  to  the  fale  of  American  vefiels,  his  Majefty  has 
taken  this  into  ^is  confideration,  and  exempted  the 
purchafe  of  all  mips,  which  (hall  be  proved  to  have 
been  conftructed  in  the  United  States,  from  every 
duty  of  the  kind. 

Trees,  fmall  (limbs,  and  feeds  of  trees  alfo,  pay 
high  duties,  which  his  Majefty  has  agreed  to  aboiifh 
i  fuch  as  fhall  be  fent  from  the  United  States  to 
France,  on  board  French  or  American  mips. 

It  having  been  reprefented,  that  the  ftate  of  Vir 
ginia  had  ordered  arms  for  its  militia  to  be  made  in 
France,  it  has  been  determined,  that  the  prohibitions 
which  have  hitherto  hindered  the  exportation  of- 
arms  and  gunpowder,  as  well  as  the  duties  required 
in  cafes  of  particular  permifiions,  fhould  be  aboiifh - 
ed,  and  that  whenever  the  United  States  mall  wifh 
to  have  from  France,  arms,  fufils,  and  gunpowder, 
they  fliall  have  full  liberty  to  do  it,  provided  it  be  in 
French  or  American  fhips,  and  that  thofe  articles 
M  2,  (hail 


124  OK   THE  COMMERCE  OF  THE1 

fliall  be  fubje<5t  to  a  very  moderate  duty  only,    folely 
for  the  purpofe  of  calculating  the  exportations. 

Finally,  his  Majefty  has  received  in  the  fame  fa 
vourable  manner  the  demand  made  to  the  commit 
tee  to  fupprefs  the  confiderable  duties  hitherto  paid 
on  books  and  paper  of  every  kind.  His  Majefty 
fupprefles  all  duties  on  articles  of  this  kind,  deftined 
to  the  United  States,  and  pul  into  French  or  Ame 
rican  vedels. 

It  is  with  pleafure,  Sir,  I  announce  to  you  thef* 
djfpofidons  of  his  Majefty,  which  are  a  new  proof 
to  you  of  his  defire  to  unite  clofely  the  commerce  of 
the  two  nations,  and  of  the  favourable  attention  he 
will  always  give  to  propofitions  which  fliall  be 
made  to  him  in  the  name  of  the  United  States  of 
America. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  a  fincereattachment,. 

Sir, 
Your  very  humble 

raid  very  obedient  fer van f, 
(Signed)  DE  CALONNE. 

Your  nation.  Sir,  will  undoubtedly  fee,  with  plea- 
fore,  the  facilities  the  king  has  juft  given  to  the  ex 
portation  of  the  wines  of  Bourdeaux,  Guienne,  and' 
Touraine,  and  the  fupprefiions  of  duties  granted  to 
•:iat  effeft,  by  different  Arretsof  Council,  with  which 
••rUrqnic  de  la  Fayette  will  be  able  to  acquaint  you* 


EXPORTS 


UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA. 


EXPORTS  OF  AMERICA. 


1  WILL  treat  but  of  a  few  of  the  articles  which 
America  furni flies,  on  account  of  the  attention  which 
they  all  merit,. 

SECTION  I. 

Tobacco. 

Of  all  the  articles  which  France  may  procure  from 
vie  United  States,  tobacco  is  the  moil  important  one 
to  the  inhabitants  of  the  two  countries.  If  it  cannot 
be  clafled  with  our  moft  urgent  neceffities,  it  follows 
them  fo  clofe,  that  excepting  cafes  wherein  the  life 
of  it  excites  difguft,  the  deprivation  of.it  ordinarily 
difcovers  the  laft  degree  of  mifery. 

We  muft  not  be  furprifed  at  its  general  ufe. — • 
The  man  greedy  of  fenfations  has  found  one  lively 
enough  in  tobacco:  it  is  perhaps  the  only  one  which 
he  can  enjoy  at  pleafdre  without  injuring  his  health, 
diminifhing  his  ftrength,  or  fufpending  his  work  or 
meditations,  Tobacco  awakens  the  mind  agree 
ably,  and  obfervers  who  have  remarked  the  innocent 
pleafure,  the  fpecies  of  inftantaneous  comfort,  which 
a  little  tobacco  procures  to  a  poor  man,  borne  down 
by  the  weight  of  affliction,  have  always  wifhed  that 
fo  (imple  an  enjoyment  fhould  be  improved  and  be-  - 
come  lefs  and^  lefs  expenlive;  and  they  cannot  re-- 
fiecl:  without  horror  on  the  crime  of 'that  fifcal  in- 
duflry,  which,  hardened  by  monopoly  to  increafe 
its  profits,  adulterates  muff  fo  much,  as  to  make  it 
pernicious  to  health. 

M3  The 


126  ON  THE   COMMERCE   OF  THE 

The  confumption  of  tobacco  muft  therefore  be 
come  more  and  more  confulerable,  and  the  com 
merce  of  this  leaf,  already  very  important,  cannot 
bedecreafed  but  by  the  diminution  of  its  cultivation  ; 
which  the  policy  of  America  will  never  permit. 

The  cultivation  of  tobacco  is  by  no  means  proper 
for  the  European  States,  which  have  acquired  popu 
lation  enough  to  apply  another  kind  of  cultivation 
to  all  their  good  lands. 

It  is  true  the  Alfaciens  cultivate  a  little  tobacco, 
:ind  they  boaft  of  it;  but  they  would  make  a  greater 
profit  if  they  cultivated  their  lands  for  proviiions. 
This  experience  is  decifive  for  France,  where  none 
of  thofe  rich  lands  exift  which  are  fo  well  known  in 
America.  It  is  therefore  the  intertft  of  France  to  get 
tobacco  from  abroad,  but  it  muft  be  paid  for  by  her 
manufactures:  file  may  enjoy  this  advantage  more 
fully  with  free  America  than  with  any  other  country. 
I  will  not  repeat  the  reafons  of  it ;  I  will  obferve  only, 
that  the  free  Americans,  having  an  immenfe  extent 
of  lands  which  cannot  be  cleared  but  in  the  courfe 
of  feveral  centuries,  muft  have,  for  a  long  time  to 
come,  tobacco  to  fend  to  Europe,  fince  this  produc 
tion  pays  with  ufury  the  expences  of  clearing. 

It  is  true,  that  the  cultivation  of  tobacco  in  Ame 
rica  muft  be  fartherand  farther  from  thefea,  and  that 
the  expences  of  carriage  may  become  confiderable. 

But  different  conliderations  place  this  epocha  at 
a  diftance;  firft,  in  cultivating  tobacco  in  none  but 
abfolute  new  lands,  the  cultivation  is  much  lefs  ex- 
penfive,  and  the  produce  confiderably  more  abun 
dant;  confequently  it  will  coft  much  lefs  in  a  new  foil 
than  when  the  foil  requires  more  labour  and  ma 
nure,  Secondly,  America,  interfered  in  every  di 
rection  by  rivers  and  lakes,  has  infinite  refources  for 
rendering  water  carriage  every  where  eafy,  and  con- 
iequentiy  never  expenfive.  It  is  eafy  to  multiply 
canals,  and  confequently  communications;  no  part 

of 


UNITED  STATES  OF   AMERICA.  12-7 

of  the  world  is  fo  much  favoured  in  this  refpeft  as 
America.  Thirdly,  Tiie  banks  of  the  Ohio  and  the 
Miffiffippi  offer  immenfe  lands  to  be  cleared:  the 
Ohio  falls  into  the  Miffiffippi,  which  falls  in  its  turn 
into  the  fea  :  thefe  two  rivers  arealmoft  everywhere 
navigable,  and  the  lands  near  them  produce  already 
excellent  tobacco,  and  will  continue  to  do  fo  for  a 
long  time.*  Fourthly,  If  the  price  of  tobacco  fhould 
be  increafed,  France  would  not  feel  the  difference, 
if  the  free  Americans,  preferring  the  culture,  con 
tinued  to  wantEuropean  manufactures,  and  gave  the 
preference  to  thofe  of  France,  According  to  this 
fyilem,  the  exchange  of  merchandize,  manufactured 
inFrance  for  the  productions  of  the  foil  of  America, 
may  be  ftill  made  with  advantage,  if  even  thefe  pro 
ductions  were  fold  in  France  below  the  firft  coft  in 
America.  We  have  long  feen  the  French  commerce 
of  the  Levant  produce  great  profits,  although  the 
merchandize  brought  in  return  was  fold  at  a  lefs 
price  in  France  than  it  coftat  the  place  where  it  was 
produced.  This  circumftance.  ftill  exifts. 

Therefore  the  fpeculation,   moil  to  the  interefl  of 
France,  is. to  tajke  as  much  tobacco  as  fhe  can  con-. 

fume 


*  It  is  impofiiblc  to  view,  without  indignation,  that  narrow 
policy  of  Spain,  which  would  mut  out  the  Americans  from  all 
communication  with  the  fea  by  the  MilTiffippi.  How  is  it,  tru;t 
fiie  cannot  perceive,  that  her  mercantile  intereft  invites  her,  on 
the  contrary,  to  favour  this  navigation,  by  erecting  itore  houfes 
upon  the  banks  of  this  river  near  to  its  mouth  ?  Is  /he  ignoranl 
of  the  advantages  of  depofitories  ?  And  with  refpedt  to  her  po 
litical  interelr,  is  there  a  greater  one  for  her  in  thtfe  countries, 
than  to  make  herfelf  immediately  neceftary  to  American  efla- 
biiftiments,  within  the  reach  of  the  Ohio?  Muft  fhe  wait  till 
they  adopt  other  means  ?  What  wiil  be  gained  by  creating  dif  • 
content  among  A  free  people?  If  it  be  wifhed  that  thefe  people 
fhould  not  become  powerful,  they  mull  be  deftroyed  j  and  if  this 
barbarity  belongs  not  to  the  eighteenth  century,  it  is  neceffary 
to  make  friends  of  them.  Expedients  in  politics  are  childifh 
and  vain. 


128  ON  THE   COMMERCE   OF  THE 

fume  from  the  Americans,  and  pay  for  it    with  her 
manufactures.* 

SECTION  II. 

FiJfierieS)   Whale  Oil,   &7V.  Spermaceti  Candles. 

Among  the  articles  of  fubfiftence  which  nature 
has  liberally  given  to  men,  fifh  is  one  of  the  moft 
abundant,  the  moft  eafy  to  be  procured,  and  the  mofl 
proper  to  preferve  their  health  and  ilrcngth.f  By 
"what  fatal  privilege  is  this  food  confined  in  France 
almoft  to  the  rich  ?  Why  does  not  Mill  abound  in  all 
places,  where  this  tribute  of  the  fea  can  be  received 
in  its  original  ftate,  and  without  being  charged  with 
the  expences  of  two  long  a  carriage?  Since  it  is  fo 
well  known,  that  it  is  advantageous  to  a  (late,  and  to 
every  clafs  of  citizens,  to  procure  an  abundance, 
and  a  variety  of  eatables,  let  them  come  from  where 
they  will,  or  of  whatever  nature  they  be,  provided 
they  be  cheap  and  wholefome:  why  is  this  political 
rule  departed  from,  with  refpecl:  to  fifh,  to  that  ail 
ment  which  nature  produces  every  where  with  fuch 
fecundity?  Whatever  may  be  the  motives  which 
may  repel  it  by  an  overcharge  of  duties,  they  can 
proceed  from  nothing  but  a  culpable  ignorance. 

Fully  convinced  of  the  benefit  which  muft  refuit 
to  mankind  from  an  abundance  of  provifions,  and 
from  the  facility  of  producing  this  abundance,  in 
receiving  from  each  nation  the  fuperiluity  which  na 
ture  has  given  it,  I  mall  take  great  care  not  to  copy 
the  narrow  fyftem  of  Lord  Sheffield  with  reflect  to 

fifheries. 

*  The  tobacco  leaf,  of  which  the, farmers  general  had  the 
entire  monopoly,  orexclufive  fale,  produced  to  the  king  a  clear 
1  f-tt  revenue,  annually,  of  between  twenty-eight  and  twenty- 
nine  millions  of  livres. 

•f-  Such  is  the  powerful  Influence  on  population,  of  the  abun 
dance  of  articles  of  fubfiftence,  and  efpecially  that  of  fifb,  that 
it  is  piincipally  to  this  article  of  life  that  the  empire  of  China. 
t>es  the  incredible  number  of  its  inhabitants. 


UN-ITE3  STATES  OF   AMERICA. 

fiHieries. — His  Lordfhip  agrees,  that  the  indepen 
dent  Americans  have,  for  the  great  fifhery,  natural 
advantages,  with  which  it  is  impoflible. for  the  Eu 
ropeans  to  contend. 

In  facl,  the  Americans  are  near  that  part  of  the 
Atlantic  where  great  fifli  abound;  therefore  their 
lifliery  muft  be  Ids  expenfive  to  them.  If  accidents- 
happen,  they  are  foon  repaired:,  all  their  operations 
are  more  prompt  and  fure;  having  a  better  know 
ledge  of  thefe  leas,  they  are  expofeci  to  lefs  rifks  than 
Europeans:  finally,  their  proximity  to  the  fifheries 
a  flu  res  them  provisions  more  frefh,*  and  puts  it  in 
their  power  to  renew  them  more  frequently;  confe- 
quently  their  fiflierm en  enjoy  more  conitant  health,, 
and  have  older  officers  and  failors  among  them :  thefe 
are  ineftirnable  advantages  to  America. 

The  Englifli  have,  very  few  of  thefe  advantages; 
the  French  fc.arcely  any. — But  ought  we  to  -conclude 
with  Lord  Sheffield,  from  this  order  of  things,  that 
American  fifh  fhonld  be  charged  with  duties,  in  or 
der  to  fupport  the  national  fifhery,  againft  this  com 
petition  ?  the  nature  of  things  dictates  to  France  more 
wife  and  advantageous  means. — Fifh  is  nourifhing 
— whatever  is  nouriftiing  is  prolific:  if  the  Ameri 
cans  fifh  at  Jefs  expence  than  the  French,  fo much 
the  better  for  the  laft;  fifii  will  be  more  abundant,, 
and  at  a  lower  price  in  France.  Let  France  open 
her  ports;  the  Americans  will  bring  iifli  into  them,, 
and  will  pay  themfelves  with  either  the  productions 
cf  the  foil  of  France,  or  of  her  induftry;  and  the  po 
pulation  to  which  this  abundance  and  cheapnefsare 
favourable,,  will  increafe.  the  producliouE.of  French 
indiii 

Moreover, 

*  Such  is  the  advantage  of  the  A  rrericani,.  that  they  furn'/li 
provifi^ns  to  the  fedentary  fifheries  of  the  Eaglifli.  According 
to  Colonel  Champion,  tht;  provifions  of  Europe  are  nnre  denr, 
and  not  fo  good  ;  the  difFereuce  in  favour  of  the  Atrrr":-... •;::  is 
Li  the  proportion  of  four  :o  fevenj  and  itcannoc  be  other  wife* 


130  ON  THE  COMMERCE  OF  THE, 

Moreover,  it  is  neceflary,  either  to  renounce  ex 
terior  commence,  or  to  confent  that  there  fnall  b  . 
fomething  to  exchange  on  both  fides.  To  wifh  to 
eitablifh  and  encourage  a  commerce  with  a  foreign 
nation,  and  not  to  leave  it  to  the  care  of  furnifhing 
that  which  it  collects  with  the  greatelt  facility,  is  a 
manifeft  contradiction.  The  enlightened  policy  of 
commerce  is  not  to  invade  all  the  branches  of  it,  but- 
to  do  nothing  but  that  which  can  be  done  better  and 
cheaper  than  any  other.  Therefore,  fmce  the  Ame 
ricans  havefifh  on  their  coafts,  fince  they  are  in  the 
neighbourhood  cf  Newfoundland,  leave  to  their  in- 
duftry  that  branch  which  nature  hr.s  given,  to  them 
in  preference;  let  us  not  difpute  it  with  them  :  firfty 
becaufe  it  would  be  in  vain  to  do  it,  and  in  the  next 
place,  becaufe  France  may  reap,  without  filling,  more 
advantageoufiy  the  fruit  of  the  American  fiflieries. 

"  But,"  fay's  Lord  Sheffield,  "  failorsmuil  befcund 
*'  for  the  navy;  and  the  fifheries  are  the  nurferies  for 
"  them;  therefore  the  fiflieries  muft  be  fuppoftedj 
"  and  no  nfli  confumecl  but  that  which  we  take  onr- 
"  felvesj  on  which  account  premiums  are  neceflary." 

There  is  no  doubt  but  failors  are  formed  in  the 
fiflieries,  but  it  is  not  in  throwmg.nets  or  hooks,  in  cur 
ing  or  preparing  fifh,  that  this  is  done;  it  is  by  a  fre 
quent  and  long  exercife  on  board  veffels  in  laborious 
manoeuvres,  in  living,  fo  to  fpeak,  among  rocks,  and 
in  feas,  which  the  vicinity  or  nearnefs  of  oppc/fite 
coafts  makes  continually  dangerous:  now  this  exer 
cife  of  vigilance,  agility,  and  intelligence,  is  perform 
ed  by  the  failor  in  coafting  and  fifhing  on  the  coafts 
of  his  own  country.  Let  coafting  be  frequent,  and 
let  not  this  fifhery  be  difcouragedjn  France,  and  it 
will  not  be  neceflary,  in  order  to  form  failors,  to  fend 
them  fo  far  to  take  fifn,  which  they  cannot  bring  to 
Europe  without  great  expence:  by  which  the  con- 
fumption  is  confequently  limited, and  whichdeprives 
ysof  the  ineftimable  advantage  qf  receiving  in  afcimd- 


UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA.  13! 

-ance,  that  which  the  independent  Americans  can  take 
•at  much  lefs  expence. 

Without  doubt  the  exercife  of  the  fiflieries  of  the 
North  forms  intrepid  iailors;  and  this  painful  life 
mil  ft  be  contented  to.  But  when  nature  has  placed 
men  in  a  climate  where  they  have  but  a  few  fleps  to 
make  to  the  interior  of  the  country,*  to  find  an  oc 
cupation  exempt  from  dangers  and  lefs  fatiguing, 
when  they  can  get  their  bread  upon  land,  under  a 
clear  and  calm  iky,  if  he  reafons,  how  will  he  be  en 
gaged  to  truft  his  iife  to  boards,  and  to  brave  icy  feas, 
to  expofe  himfclf  during  the  fined  months  in  the  year 
to  perpetual  florins,  which  aflail  thefe  fifhing  banks, 
fo  frequently  flamed,  by  means  of  the  moft  fatal 
errors,  with  European  blood? 

It  will  be  anfwered,  by  premiums,-}-  by  privileges, 

and 


*  The  French  fifh  but  a  part  of  the  year;  moft  of  the  fifh- 
ermen  are  day  labourers,  employed  on  Jand,  which  they  leave 
in  the  month  of  February,  and  return  to  it  in  July. 

•{•  England  gives  considerable  premiums  to  her  fishermen.— • 
But  the  inconveniencies  and  abufes  of  the  fit  ft  premiums  render 
them  of  no  effecl.  Thefe  abufes  are  chiefly  as  follows:  The 
fiihing  vefiel  muft  go  to  a  certain  port;  the  equipage  muft  pafi 
in  review  before  the  Officers  of  the  Cuftoms ;  the  ihip  muft  com 
plete  her  cargo,  or  remain  three  months  atfea  to  do  it :— fo  chat 
if  in  the  firft  week  Hie  procured  nine-tenths  of  it,  fhe  would  be 
obliged  to  keep  the  fea  for  the  other  tenth.  The  mip  can  take 
no  inftruments  but  thofe  proper  for  the  fi/hery,  to  which  the 
premium  is  applied  ;  the  cargo  cannot  be  difcharged  but  in  a, 
certain  port;  there  are  general  formalities  to  be  obferved  with 
jefpeft  to  the  fait  which  fh«  carries  out  and  brings  home;  the 
owners  are  expofed  to  vexations  from  Cuftom-houfe  Officers,  to 
law  fuits  which  they  are  obliged  to  carry  on  in  courts  of  juftice, 
far  from  their  refidence. — Judge  if  a  poor  fifherman  can  expofe 
himfelf  to  thefe  inconvenienciec ;  this  is  what  has  caufed  fifhe- 
rles  to  decline,  efpecially  thofe  of  Scotland. — It  is  what  has 
given  fo  much  afcendancy  to  the  Dutch*  who  have  no  premi 
ums.  It  is  that  which  Ivas  rendered  pr«miumc  ufelefs.  Other 
Governments  adopt  this  method  of  giving  premiums :  the  fame 
difficulties  are  attached  to  them,  and  jet  people  are  aftoniihed 
Uut  things  go  not  on  better. 


-T:j'£  -ON  THE  COMMERCE   Of  THfi 

and  by  prohibitions  or  overcharges  of  duties,  which 
are  equivalent  to  prohibitions  on  foreign  induftry. 

But  it  rnuft  not  be  forgotten,  that  articles  of  fub- 
*  fiftence  are  here  in  queflion,  that  thofe  forced  meant 
make  them  dearer,  that  their  confumption  is  then  li 
mited,  and  their  effect  retrained;  that  in  forcing  na 
ture  in  this  manner,  is  doing  it  at  the  cxpence  of  po 
pulation,  for  by  this  barbarous  regimen,  men  are  de- 
itroyed  inftead  of  being  produced,  whilit  permiffion 
to  bring  into  fea-ports  the  fiih  of  thofe  who  have  no 
thing  bettertodo  than  to  take  it,  would  infallibly  in- 
creafe  population. 

Moreover,  to  whom  are  thefe  premiums  and  all 
other  favours, -with  which  it  is  wimed  to  combat  the 
nature  of  things,  diilributed?  Does  the  individual 
of  whom  it  re  intended  to  make  a  failor  enjoy  any 
advantage  from  them?  Let  not  men  be  deceived  in 
this;  they  are  the  prey  of  the  navigator,  who  goes 
out  of  his  clofet  but  to  walk  about,  and  who  directs 
his  fteps  fometimes  toward  the  fea  fide.  He  begins 
by  taking  his  own  mare,  and  be  perfuaded  that  the 
wages  which  he  offers  to  thofe  whom  he  employs  to 
conduct  his  perilous  enterprise  are  parfimonioufly 
calculated;  therefore  the  end  is  not  attained. 

If  there  be  an  abfolute  want  of  failors  who  have 
pafled  their  noviciate  about  the  banks  of  Newfound 
land,  and  in  the  North  feas,  there  is  a  more  fimple 
and  fure  means,  leis  expenfive,  and  what  is  more 
important,  one  which  is  exempt  from  deftructive 
confequences,  to  form  them.  Choofe  from  honeft 
families  young,  robuft,  and  intelligent  men  ;  infure 
to  them  a  perfonal  recompenfe,  if,  after  a  certain 
number  of  voyages  on  board  fifhing  veftels,  they 
bring  certificates  of  good  behaviour,  and  of  experi 
ence  acquired  by  practice.  Oblige  them  to  go  on 
board  veflels  belonging  to  nations  or  cities,  to  which 
thefe  difficult  fimeries  are  a  necefTary  refource.  It 
Is  there  they  will  acquire  real  Juiawledge.  Thefe, 

added 


UNITED  STATES  OF   AMERICA.  133 

afterwards  to  Tailors  exercifed  in  the  coafting 
and  in  the  fisheries  on  their  own  coafts,  will  form 
for  the  navy  experienced  Tailors. 

Whale  oil  belongs  to  the  fifheries :  it  is  another  great 
article  of  commerce  with  the  United  States.  All  oil 
•of  this  denomination  is  not  produced  by  whales  only; 
great  quantities  of  it  is  drawn  from  feals,  and  other 
fpecies  of  fifh. 

The  ufe  of  this  oil  is  much  retrained  in  France:* 
that  of  the  white  of  the  whale,  and  of  which  fuch 
line  candles  are  made,  is  little  known  there.  The 
ufe  of  oil  will  become  more  general. 

Lord  Sheffield  is  of  opinion,  that  found  policy 
makes  its  necefiary  that  the  Englifh  fhould  prohibit, 
or  at  leaft  difcourage  by  duties,  American  oil.  It 
was  with  this  idea  that  the  government  of  England 
Impofed  a  duty  of  four  hundred  and  fifty  livres  tour- 
nois  per  ton  on  oils  imported  by  the  independent 
Americans,  to  favour  the  oils  of  Canada  and  Nova- 
Scotia. 

This  rigour  (Jiould  make  this  production,  which 
has  been  hitherto  proscribed,  received  in  France. 
The  introduction  of  it  is  fo  muchthemore  neceilary, 
as  the  French  whale  fifhery  is  ruined.  Bayon,  for 
merly  celebrated  for  this  nfliery,  has  abandoned  it; 
Dunkirk,  which  continues  to  fit  out  veflels,  furniflies 
but  little  of  this  oil,  at  a  very  high  price. 

Whether  the  French  go  to  the  North,  or  towards 
Brafil,  they  will  labour  under  a  difadvantage : — 
Without  afylum  in  cafe  of  misfortune,  their  naviga 
tion  is  always  longer  and  more  expennve  than  that 
of  other  nations  which  cr.rry  on  a  whale  fifliery.  It 
is  therefore  more  to  the  advantage  of  France  to  re- 
N  ceive 


*  By  ftatements  which  deferve  fome  faith  it  appears,  that 
in  1734,  tl.e  importation  into  France  of  whale  oi!,  and  that  of 
other  fifh  taken  by  the  French,  was  1,610,619*  Ib.  Foreign 
til,  2,74.8,099  lb«  Portugal  furnifhed  almoft  half  of  the  lafl. 


?34  ON  THE  COMMERCE  OF  IKE 

ceive  American  oil,  and  to  pay  for  it  with  her  wines 
and  manufactures. 

The  French  government  foon  perceived  the  n-e- 
cefiity  of  receiving  the  oils  of  America.  Had  not 
this  been  done,  an  emigration  ef  Ainerrcan  fifher- 
men  into  Canada  and  Nova-Scotia  would  have  been 
the  confequence.  This  was  near  .happening,  fame 
time  after  the  peace,  in  the  ifland  of  Nan  tucket.  In 
defpair  on  feeing  the  ports -of  England  fhut,  and  not 
knowing  where  to  fell  their  oils,  which  alone  fup- 
plied  all  their  wants,  'the  inhabitants  had  refolved  to 
emigrate  to  Nova-Scotia,  when,  on  the  moment  of 
departure,  they  received  a  letter  from  the  Marquis 
de  la  Fayette,  whom  they  jnftly  looked  upon  as  their 
patron  and  father.  He  perfuaded  them  to  be  pati 
ent  until  the  French  government  fliould  fupprefs  or 
reduce  the  duties  on  oils,  which  have  been  reduced 
for  a  limited  time;  but  during  tin's  time  the  indepen 
dent  Americans  are  to  enjoy,  with  refpeft  to  their 
oils,  all  the  advantages  given  to  the  moil  favoured 
nation;*  and  this  favour,  joined  to  all  their  other 
.advantages,  cannot  fail  to  give  them  a  great  fuperio- 
rity  in  this  branch  of  commerce,  as  beneficial  to 
France  as  to  them. 

The  white  of  the  whale  muft  be  added,  and  the 
candles  made  with  this  fubftance:  they  are  known 
by  the  name  of  fpermaceti  candles,  and  ferve  inftead 
of  very  fine  bougies  or  wax  candles.  The  American 
Colonies  exported  of  them,  according  to  Lord  Shef 
field,  to  the  amount  of  five  hundred  thoufand  livres 

tournois, 

*  Such  are  the  duties  on  whale  oil,  &c.  paid  in  France,  ac 
cording  to  the  tarifs  of  1664,  and  1667  ;  whale  bone,  cut  and 
prepared  by  the  French,  thirty  fols  per  cwt.  fins,  three  livres  per 
cwt.  a  barrel  of  oil  of  five  hundred  pounds  weight,  three  livies. 
Whale  bene  from  foreign  fisheries  p<iyr,  in  the  firft  inftance, 
nineteen  livres,  in  the  fecond,  thirty  iivres,  and  twelve  livres  in 
the  third.  The  Hanfe  Towns  pay  nine  livres  in  the  firft  in- 
ilance,  and  feven  livres  ten  fols  in  the  thirc.— It  is  the  Uft  duty 
*,v-J)ioh  the  American  oils  now  pay. 


UNITED  STATES   OF   AMERICA.  13^ 

tournois,  in  the  years  1768,  1769,  and  1770,  cal 
culating  thefe  candles  at  thirty-two  ibis  a  pound.  It  is 
probable,  that  thefe  would  be  better  made  in  France. 

SECTION    III. 

CV«,  Flour,  &c. 

Foreign  corn  and  flour  enter  France  on  paying  a 
duty  too  inconfiderable  to  make  any  fenfible  increafe 
in  their  price.  The  principles  laid  down  in  the  pre 
ceding  article,  with  reipect  to  article::  of  fubfiftence, 
nmft  be  adopted  for  the  commodities  of  corn  and 
flour. 

The  corn  merchant,  the  moft  ufeful  of  all  mer 
chants  (whatever  the  vulgar,  who,  from  a  want  of 
information,  confounds  a  dealer  in  corn  with  a  mo/- 
nopolizer,  may  think  of  him,)  fears  arbitrary  excep 
tions,  fudden  prohibitions,  and  unexpected  itrokes  of 
authority.  This  ftate  of  uncertainty  prevents  Oic 
folid  eftablifhmcnt  of  the  true  fyftem  of  liberty, 
whence  rcfult  innumerable  inconveniencies,  which 
no  other  fyfcem  would  bring  on  provided  it  were 
fixed,  and  that  it  afforded  a  certain  bafis  of  calcula 
tion. 

But  how  could  a  legiflation  for  corn  be  formed 
which  fhould  not  be  one  of  liberty,  and  which  mould 
neverthelefs  afford  a  like  bafis?  This  is  impoffible: 
foeking,  firfl  of  alJ,  the  particular  rules  for  every  cafe, 
when  thefe  are  of  a  nature  not  to  be  forefeen,  is  ieek- 
ing  for  a  chimera. 

Not  to  fall  into  contradiction  it  is  neceffary  .o 
choofe  between  arbitrary  power  and  liberty — But  that 
which  is  arbitrary  prefents  nothing  but  a  perfpec- 
tive  which  is  naturally  difcou raging.  No  property 
is  fafe  under  this  fyftem;  when  it  exifts,  the  mer 
chant  and  the  cultivator  are  obliged  to  hazard  their 
property  in  a  lottery,  of  which  the  chicaneries  can- 
be  calculated;  for  it  is  neceflury  to  forefee  the 
Ns  falfc 


l$  ON  THE  COMMERCE  OF  THE 

ialfe  informations,  errors,  and  manoeuvres,  of  an  hi- 
tereft  different  from  their  own,  and  even  from  that 
of  the  public,  the  attempts  of  power,  &c.  and  if  all 
fhefe  confiderations  ought  to  enter  into  the  elements 
of  their  calculations,  how  can  they  found  hopes  on 
fuch  a  variable  bafis? 

Liberty  confifts,  on  the  contrary,  in  the  choice 
which  every  one  may  make  of  that  which  is  mo  ft 
agreeable  to  him,  according  to  the  circumftances  of 
the  moment.  This  is  a  general  rule;  it  is  applicable 
to  every  cafe,  and  the  hope  of  gain  is  always  ac~ 
eomfptrmed  by  the  decifive  certainty  that  an  indivi 
dual  will  be  mailer  of  all  his  induftry,  and  of  com 
bining  his  fpecuktions  according  to  circumftances, 
which  human  power  cannot  govern. 

From  this  cfcmonitrated  truth,  that  in  every  ftate 
of  circumftances,  the  iirfl  thing  needful  to  the  com 
merce  of  grain  is  a  fixed  rule,  refults  the  neceffity  of 
embracing  the  fyftem  of  liberty,  and  oi~  protecting 
it  in  its  fulleft  extent,  without:  oppofmg  any  reftrictive 
condition.* 

Governments  fhoukl  be  determined  by  the  necef- 
Sty  alone  of  this. fixed  rule,  if  the  fyftem  of  liberty 
%vas  not  even  derno nitrated  to  be  the  beft  in  every 
vefpect.  But  this  fyftem  is  moreover  the  molt  cer 
tain  prefervative  againft  the  alternatives  of  ruinous 
abundance  and  fcarcity  ftill  more  ruinous,  which  are 
both  calamities,  wherever  impofls  are  confiderable. 

Lord  Sheffield  obierves,  that  Europe,  not  being 
conitantly  under  the  neceffity  of  recurring  to  Ame 
rican  corn,  the  United  States  cannot  put  corn  and 
Hour  into  the  clafs  of  productions,  which  found  an 

eileatiai 


*  Tiie  English  f;metimes  prohibit  importation  or  exporta 
tion — But  it  niuft  be  obferved,  that  the  Er.gliftj  previouily  fix 
the  pr^ce  of  corn,  which  determines  prohibition?*  This  is 
therefore  a  fixed  law,  and  which,  confeqvrently  deranges  not 
foecuiators  iike  an  arbitrary  law. 


STATES   OF  AMERICA.  137 

effential  and  durable  commerce.*  Lord  Sheffield  is 
miftaken.  It  is  a  truth,  which  every  man  of  obfer- 
vation  is  acquainted  with,,  that  not  a  year  comes 
forward  without  {hewing  that  fome  one  or  more  na 
tions  in  Europe  are  in  want  of  corn.  This  want  of 
grain  therefore  being  occasionally  extended  to  allEu- 
rope,  France  ought  to  be  anxious  to  become  the  ma 
gazine  of  it,  fince  England  was  fo  formerly.  There 
fore  it  would  be  advantageous  to  conftruct  in  the 
free  ports  opened  to  the  United  States  commodious 
depoiitories  to  receive  and  preferve  American  corn. 
By  this  means  corn  would  be  always  ready  to  be 
tranfported  to  the  place  where  the  bed  price  was  to 
be  had  for  it..  Thefe-  free  ports  being  depofitories 
where  articles  neceffary  to  the  United  States  would 
be  collected,  the  commerce  of  corn  would  thereby 
acquire  a  continuation^,  advantageous  to  the  two 
nations: — advantageous  to  America,,  becaufe  the 
certainty  of  a  place  of  depolit,  fafe  and  little  expen- 
five,  would  caufe  grain  to  be  fent  more  frequently ; 
advantageous  to  France,  becaufe,  beiides  the  conti 
nual  poifeffion  of  an  important  commodity,  and' 
which  would  guarantee  it  from  every  manoeuvre  of 
interior  monopoly,  thefe  depofitories  would  furuifh 
N.  3,  the 

*  We  have  no  fimpleexpreffion  in  France  for  *  ftaple  commo 
dities  ;'  words  by  which  the  Englim  term  thofe  forts  of  produc 
tions  of  foil  or  induftry,  fo  naturalized  as  to  form  an  effential 
part  of  national  riches,  and  of  which  the  commerce  is  fa 
voured  by  great  eftabli/hments,  fuch  as  public  buildings,  depoH- 
tories,  and  places  or  markets,  detained  to  thefe  productions. 
Thefe  are  called  the  STAPLE,  whence  the  ex-pi eflion  '  It .1  pic 
commodities'  vftis  naturally  formed. 

We  have  not,  like,  the  Englifh,  the  happy  liberty  of  making 
words:  their  language  becomes  more  rich,  their  elocution  rapid, 
and  we  lofe  ourfelvesin  long  circumlocutions,  to  defcribe  a  thing 
of  which  we  want  the  name;  an  inconvenience  more  pernicious 
tc  infraction  than  is  believed.  This  rerrv.rk  is  not  at  prefent 
ill  timed :  it  is  to  thofe  who  conduct  affairs,  who  live  artv.-n^- 
them,  whofe  vocation  it  is  to  treat  thereon^  to  create  v-. 
v.hich  explain  them  clearly  and  properly. 


f  58  OK    T l-i  "ii  "COMMERCE   CF    j  hi. 

the  means  of  a  coafnng  trade,  almoft  continual,  from 
the  north  of  France  to  the  iVtrtheit  part  of  the  Me 
diterranean. 

France  does  not  grow  all  the  corn  me  confumes;* 
fhe  is  obliged  to  get  it  from  the  north,  from  Sicily, 
nncl  the  coafts  of  Africa:  that  of  the  United  States 
ought  to  be  more  proper  for  her,  for  two  reafons: 
Firft,  it  mult  be  cheaper,  being  the  produce  of -a 
cultivating  people.  Secondly,  the  people  have  more 
various  and  general  wants  of  frefli  provifions  than 
the  foiuhern  countries  of  Europe.  The  American 
inny  receive  v,  me.-;,  line  oils,  and  fruits  of  France, 
in  exchange  for  iiis  corn.  The  Neopolitan,  the 
Sicilian,  and  the  African,  cannot  be  paid  in  the 
fame  manner. 

Finally  j  there  is- a  not  her  confederation  favourable 
to  the  importation  of  American  corn:  it  may  eafily 
arrive  at  Honfleurrf  there  it  may  be  ftored  up,  and 
undergo  all  theprocefies  neccfTary  to  its  prefervation : 
procefles  which  are  become  very  fimple  and  little  ex- 
ptnfivt.;;.  Thefe  dhiblifhrnents  would  keep  up  a 

confiderable 

*  This  U  2  facl,  t'iou^:;  contrary  to  the  common  opinion. 
Another  fait,  which  proves  the  liicd'Iity  of  admitting  corn  at 
a  low  rate,  fuch  as  the  coin  of  Anur'ci,  is,  that  thiee-fourthi 
01  the  inhabitants  cf  the  province  of  Beauce,  which  produces 
f'uch  line  corn,  eat  black  bre^d  and  no  other,  and  of  vhich 
they  have  net  even  tr.ou§'u.  What  rnuil  this  fcarcity  be  in 
.  rovinces  \vhtre  :.c  corn  i.  grov.'n  ? 

•\-  1  q'jole  Honfieur,  becaufe  this  port,  from  various  circum- 
ftznces,  ufclefs  to  mention  here,  is  defiined  by  nature  to  be 
come  the  df:p',£:or\  of  a  grest  commerce,  and  that  efpecially  cf 
.v:.,;e:;  \vith-France.  The  project  of  making  it  a 
lice  pori  has  been  under  confederation  5  and  it  is  to  the  greateft  in- 
icrcftof  i  v:.nce  that  this  project  fhould  be  carriedjnto  execution. 

^  The^t-  cc.'1-lift  in  nothirg  but  placing  magazines  h.  the  open 
sir,  cpe>::i.i  tc  dry  winds,  and  conftrud^ed  in  fuch  a  manner  as 
to  be  entirely  removed.  This  operation,  performed  once  a  fort- 
-,,i-:i)t,  in  piojer  wtaihcr,  jiceds  only  to  be  jepeated  a  certain 
iiur.'jbcr  uf  times  j  after  which  the  corn  may  be  left  in  a  heap, 
without  fear  of  its  healing.  Experiments  of  this  kind  have 
ieea  carefully  m^de.  The  method  cf  preferring  coro  ufed  at 


VNLTLD   STATES  OF   AMERICx^.  1  $(y- 

coniiderable  quantity  of  foreign  corn  within  the 
reach  of  the  capital,  a  greater  advantage  than  n;:;y  be 
imagined. 

There  are  ftill  other  motives  which  ought  to  en- 
gage  the  French  to  encourage  the  importation  of  A- 
merican  corn.  They  have  need  of  it  for  the  vaft 
magazines  which  the  land  and  fea  forces,  and  fre 
quently  fcarcity.  oblige  them  to  keep  ftorecl. 

What  mould  hinder  government  from  forming 
magazines  of  American  corn  in  the  French  fugar  if- 
lands,  which  tempefls,  conflagrations,  and  other 
unforefeen  accidents,  expofc  fo  frequently  to  famine, 
becaufe  contracted  victualling  is  carried'  on  by  mo 
nopolizers,  who  fend  but  little  in  order  to  fell  dear? 

SECTION  IV. 

MaftS)  Yards,  and  other  Timber  for  the  Navy, 

France,  like  other  European  ftates  which  have  a 
royal  navy  and  fleets  of  merchant  mips  to  keep  in 
repair,  imports  timber  from  Livonia  and  Ruffia, 
This  general  magazine  begins  to  be  exhaufled;  the 
quality  of  its  malts  is  not  fo  good  as  formerly.  This 
commerce  is,  moreover,  attended  with  the  dilacU 
vantage  to  France  of  requiring  conliderable  remit 
tances  of  money,  without  reckoning  the  inconve- 
niencies  of  a  dangerous  navigation,  frequently  inter 
rupted  by  ice;  aifo  the  competition  of  feveral  na 
tions,  which  their  proximity  and  many  other  cir- 
cumftances  naturalize,  fo  to  fpeak,  in  the  ports  and 
feas  of  the  North j  advantages  which  the  French 
cannot  have. 

Thefe 

Geneva  may  be  quoted  s  The  government  has  eftablifhed  one  of 
He  greateft  revenues  in  the  fale  of  corn  to  the  people,  and  its 
interefthas,  confequently,  led  it  to  improve  the  art  of  preferv- 
ing  this  commodity.  Befides,  In  depositories  deftined  wholly 
to  the  corn  dealers,  the  fame  corn  never  remains  long  enough 
torerjdft  its  prelervation  difficult.  There  is  fome  reafon  to  be- 
lisve  that  the  fait  air  of  the  fea  it  favourable  for  it» 


l^O  4VN   THE   COMMDRCli   Cjfe'   TH1. 

Thefe  confiderations  ought  to  determine  France 
to  turn  her  attention  to  the  United  States,  to  procure 
from  them  the  limber  necelfr.ry  for  her  navy,  and 
malt  timber  efpecially.  There  is  but  one  objection 
to  this,  and  it  arifes  from  prejudice-.  It  is  pretend-" 
ed  in  France,  that  the  quality  of  American  timber 
is  very  much  inferior  to  that  of  the  Baltic.  Some 
people  go  fo  far  as  to  maintain  that  it  is  improper  for 
the  coaitruftion  of  veflel?.  I  have  reafon  to  believe 
that  this  judgment  is  not  onlv  hafty,  but  dictated 
cither  by  ignorance,  or  the  partiality  of  perfons  in- 
tereikd  in  the  Baltic  timber. 

It  is  not  in  the  laws  of  nature,  that  immenfe  coun 
tries,  vvhofe  afpects  are  as  varied  as  thole  of  Europe 
can  be,  and. in  vvhofe  foil  there  are  the  fame  diverii- 
ties,  fhould  produce  no  timber  but  of  a  quality  infe 
rior  to  that  of  the  timber  of  Europe. 

Better  directed  inquiries,  and  a  more  attentive  ex 
amination,  will  foon  deftroy  this  prejudice  againft 
the qualityof  American  timber;  a  prejudice  fomueh 
the  more  difagreeable,  as  it  would  deprive  the  con> 
irrerce  between  France  and  the  United  States  of  an 
article  important  to  the  two  nations. 

If  France  will  inform  herfelf  ferioufly  of  this  mat 
ter,  let  her  confult  even  the  enemies  of"  America;  let 
her  confult  Lord  Sheffield,  fo  moderate  in  his  eulo- 
giums,  when  it  is  necefTary  to  give  them  to  the  inde 
pendent  Americans.  His  Lordfhip  fays  exprefihy 
*4  that  the  negotiators  of  the  treaty  of  peace,  who 
"  have  ceded  the  territory  of  Penobfcot,  to  the  eaii 
*'  of  Cafco-bay,  belonging  to  Great-Britain,  deferve 
"  the  fevereft  cenfure;  as  this  country  produces, 
*'  without  contradiction,  the  bed  timber.  Thecoaft," 
adds  his  Lordmip,  "  is  covered  with  timber  proper 
"  for  navigation  and  other  ufes,  and  in  quantities 
"  fufficient  to  the  wants  of  Great-Britain  for  centu- 
"  ries  to  come.  The  white  pine,  known  in  England 
"  by  the  name  of  the  Wey mouth  Pine.,  or  tJ^Pir.e 

P  4,4  OJ 


tlNITLD  STATES  OF  AMERICA.  142 

**  of  New-England,  abounds  in  this  territory;  it  is 
"  incontefb.bly  the  beft  for  mafts,  and  gro.ws  there 
*'  to  a  prodigious  height." 

Tliis  is  confirmed  to  us  by  men  who  have  travelled 
and  redded  in  the  United  States.  Thefe  mt-i  allure 
us,  that  the  States  produce  all  kinds  of  timber  of 
which  we  are  in  need,  and  that  the  white  pine  of  the 
Connecticut,  Penobfcot,  and  Kennebeck  rivers  is, 
at  lealt,  equal  in  quality  to  that  of  the  north  of  Eu 
rope.  The  ftiip- builders  of  Philadelphia  efleem  it 
fo  much,  that  they  begin  to  make  ufe  of  it  for  fide 
planks  above  the  fnrface  of  the  water. 

Green  oak,  of  which  there  are  fuch  fine  forefts  in 
Georgia,  unites  the  mod  precious  qualities;  it  may 
be  procured  from  St.  Mary's,  of  a  more  confiderable 
fcanrling  than  that  which  comes  from  the  Levant 
and  the  iflancl  of  Cornea;  it  is  compact,  the  worms 
never  attack  it,  and  its  duration  is  unequalled.  The 
green  oak  of  Carolina  is  the  hardeit  timber  known  ; 
- — the  verTeis  built  with  it  are  of  a  very  long  duration* 

SECTION  V. 

Skins  and  Furs. 

In  this  trade  Lord  Sheffield  looks  upon  the  United 
States  as  dangerous  rivals  to  Canada;  and  it  is  not 
without  reafon  that  his  Lorclmip  is  of  this  opinion. 

The  proximity  of  the  great  eftablifhments  which 
the  independent  Americans  form  at  prefent  at  Pitf- 
burgh,  and  in  many  other  places  of  their  pofTeflions 
beyond  the  mountains,  muft  infenfibly  give  then; 
great  advantages  in  this  commerce,  and  make  them 
partake  with  Canada  a  large  fhare  of  the  profits. 

In  fact,  the  regions  fituated  between  the  waters  of 
the  lake  Ontario,  and  thofe  of  the  Mifiiffippi,  inter- 
fected  by  the  numerous  rivers  which  fall  into  the 
South  and  North- Weft  of  Lake  Erie,  of  the  Michigan 


14-  ON'  THE  COMMERCE   OF  TH2. 

and  of  the  Superior  ^  as  far  as  the  O»//«: 5,y7»^, *  nnc$ 
even  to  the  lac  des  bcis ;  the  great  undertakings  in 
which  the  Virginians  are  at  prefent  employed,  to* 
improve  the  navigation  of  the  Potvwmdck^Q  ttie  foot 
of  the  Allegheny;  the  probability  of  another  com 
munication  with  the  ultramontane  waters,  by  mean* 
of  the  wefltrn  branches  of  the  Sufquthaiwah;  xvhhout 
omitting  the  facility  with  which  the  inhabitants  of 
the  ftate  of  New-York  went  to  Niagara  before  the 
war,  in  going  up  the  Hudi-cm's  ri\er  from  their  ca 
pital  to  Albany,  beyond  that  of  the  Mohawk?,  crof- 
iing  the  little  lake  of  Oncida,  and  by  means  of  an 
cafy  carriage  going  clown  the  river  of  Ofaego,  in  the 
mouth  of  which  the  Ontario  forms  an  excellent  har 
bour;  all  thefe  reafons,  and  many  others  which  re 
late  not  only  to  geography,  but  to  climate,  proximi 
ty,  &c.  mud  in  a  few  years  put  the  Americans  ia 
pofTeffion  of  the  greatest  pars  of  the  fur  trade. 

Thefe  advantages  will  be  ftill  more  certain,  when 
the  Englim  (hall  have  evacuated  the  forts  of  Niagara, f 
the  great  eftablifhment  of  the  flreight,J  and  that  of 
the  Michiliimakinad:.§ 

The  annual  fales  in  London  of  furs  from  Canada^ 
produced  in  1-782,  four  millions  feven  hundred  thou- 
fandlivres  tsurnois,  fomething  more  in  1783,  and  in 
1784  they  amounted  to  upwards  of  five  millions.  All 
thefe  furs  are  paid  for  with  Englifli  manufactures, 
and  the  fourth  part  is  prepared  iij  England,  by  which 

their 


*  A  great  river  n-hJch  falls  into  the  Miflifllppj,  at  feven  hun 
dred  leagues  rVcra  the  fea. 

•{•  A  very  hrportant  one,  which  commands  the  fpace  of  the 
thirteen  leagues  which  fepaiates  the  lakes  Erie  and  Ontario. 

J  A  city  founded  by  the  French,  on  the  height  oi:  St.  Claire, 
which  carries  the  \vatcis  oi"  the  lakes  Michigan  and  Huron  into 
the  Erie. 

§  A  for:  and  eftabii/hment  at  the  point,  in  theifland  of  this 
aarne,  which  corn  ma  mis  the  pr.lfrge  of  the  falls  of  St.  Maiy, 
through  which  tht  \Vutera  of  the  upper  l«ke  f«'i  imo  th-jfc  oi 


'.'NITED  STATES   OF  AMERICA.  143 

their  value  is  doubled.  Now,  this  rich  commerce, 
carried  on  by  way  of  Quebec,  will  certainly  fall  as 
ibon  as  the  forts  and  the  countries  which  they  com 
mand  mail  be  reftorecl  to  the  Americans.  It  is  from 
this  confideration  that  the  rcftitution  of  thefe  forts  is 
withheld,  to  the  period  of  which  the  Englifh  look 
tbrward  with  pain. 

SECTION  VI. 

Rice,   Jndipo,  Flax-feed. 

It  is  not  poffible  to  fpeak  of  American  rice  with 
out  thinking  of  the  pernicious  inconveniencies  which 
its  cultivation  produces.  The  wretched  flaves  who 
cultivate  it,  obliged  to  be  half  the  year  in  water,  are 
expofed  to  fcrophulous  diforders  and  a  premature 
death.  It  is  laid,  that  this  confideration  prevents 
the  Mates  wherein  rice  is  produced,  from  abolifhing 
flavery,  Free  men  would  not  devote  themfelves 
willingly  to  this  destructive  labour.* 

Were  this  even  true,  and  that  in  the  fyftem  of  li 
berty  means  could  not  be  found  to  reconcile  this  cul 
ture  to  the  health  of  the  labourers,  a  fufficient  mo 
tive  could  not  be  drawn  from  it  to  condemn  to  death, 
or  to  cruel  difeafes,  a  part  of  our  fellow  creatures, 
born  free,  equal  us,f  and  with  an  e^ual  right  to  live. 

Were 

*  Rice  is  cultivated  in  Piedmont  and  in  Italy,  by  people  who 
have  no  habitations,  and  are  known  by  the  name  of  Banditti, 
the  fruit  of  the  bad  political  conftitutions  of  that  part  of  Europe. 
When  thefe  Banditti  have  finished  their  work,  tne  Sbirres  con 
duct  them  to  the  frontiers,  for  fear  of  the  diforders  to  which 
thnr  inaction  and  mifery  might  incHne  them. 

f  They  are  of  a  different  colour  from  that  of  the  Europeans  5 
but  does  the  quality  of  man  depend  on  colour  ?  Are  not  the  ne 
groes  organized  as  we  are?  Have  not  they  like  us,  every  thing 
which  belongs 'to  the  production  of  the  fpecies,  to  the  formation 
of  ideas,  and  to  their  deveiopement  ?  It  their  black  colour  ought 
to  have  any  moral  tffect,  to  have  any  influence  over  their  fate, 
or  to  determine  our  conduct  towards  them,  it  fhould  be  that  of 
inducing  us  to  leave  them  where  they  are,  and  not  to  for.ce  them 


144  ON  THE  COMMERCE  OF  THE 

Were  the  culture  of  this  commodity  even  abfolutely 
neceflary,  this  neceffity  would  give  us  no  right  over 
the  lives  of  negroes;  or  it  would  be  the  eitect  of  a 
ftate  of  war;  for  fervitude  was  never  a  right. 

There  is  a  fpecies  of  dry  rice  no  way  dangerous  to 
cultivate.  Moreover,  the  example  of  the  Chinefe  and 
the  Indians,  among  whom  the  culture  of  rice  makes 
not  inch  ravages,  ought  to  make  us  hope,  that  in 
imitating  them  life  and  health  would  be  reftored  to 
men  of  which. we  have  never  had  a  right  to  deprive 
them. 

After  having  confidered  this  production  as  a  man 
fliould  confider  it,  I  mult  now  confider  it  as  a  mer 
chant  ought  to  do. 

The  French  government  has  not  yet  taken  a  de 
termined  refolution  relative  to  the  introduction  of 
American  rice.  It  is  a  wholefome  and  fimple  arti 
cle  of  fubfiftence,  proper  to  iupply  the  place  of  prin 
cipal  commodities.  It  cannot  be  too  often  repeated, 
that  the  multiplication  of  articles  of  fubfiftence  ought 
to  be  encouraged;  it  would  render  life  lefs  painful 
to  the  people,  increafe  population,  and  confequently 
natural  riches. 

If  France  wiflies  to  have  a  great  and  folid  com 
merce  with  the  United  States,  flie  ought  to  admit  all 
the  productions  of  the  United  States. 

The 

tway  from  their  country;  not  to  punifh  them  by  the  moft  bar 
barous  treatment  on  account  of  their  colour;  not  to  drag  them 
into  a  foreign  land,  to  condemn  them  there  to  the  vile  and 
painful  life  of  animals.  Do  they  come  and  offer  themfelves  vo 
luntarily  as  flaves?  Do  they  afk  to  leave  thofe  torrid  zones, 
wherein  nature  fcems  to  have  circumfcribed  them  by  their  co 
lour,  as  flie  has  done  by  us  in  more  temperate  ones  by  our  white 
complexions?  Their  wants  being  few,  keep  them  in  ignorance; 
we  add  every  thing  capable  of  changing  it  inco  imbecility,  and 
we  argue  upon  this  degradation,  of  which  we  are  the  culpable 
authors,  to  tianquilize  ourfelves  on  the  j'ift  reproaches  which 
nature  makes  us  !'  Can  we  b  aft  therefore  of  our  knowledge,  as 
long  as  it  remains  an  accomplice  in  thcfe  horrors?  See  on  this 
fubjeft, «  i'exainen  critique  des  Voyages,1  de  M.  de  Chaftelux, 


UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA.  145 

The  Americans  exported  annually,  daring  the 
years  1768,  1769,  and  1770,  to  Great-Britain  and 
the  fouth  of  Europe,  a  hundred  and  fifteen  thoufand 
barrels  of  rice,  worth  fix  millions  and  a  half  of  livres 
tournois.*  It  is  the  moft  confiderable  article  of  ex 
portation  after  tobacco,  wheat,  and  flour.  It  de- 
ferves  therefore  that  France  fhould  think  of  it  for  her 
commerce,  and  endeavour  to  bring  it  into  her  ports, 
to  be  diilributed  there  toother  European  markets. 

Indigo. 

The  fame  thing  may  be  faid  of  the  indigo  of  the 
Carolinas  and  Georgia;  it  makes  a  part  of  the  im 
portant  productions  of  the  United  States,  and  is  con- 
fumed  in  Europe; — it  is  therefore  neceflary  to  open 
for  its  reception  all  the  French  ports,  and  afterwards 
to  give  it  eafy  communications.  The  English  re 
ceived  of  it  annually,  during  the  years  1768,  1769, 
and  1770,  to  the  amount  of  three  millions  of  livres 
tournois.f  It  was  principally  confumed  in  England, 
Ireland,  and  the  north  of  Europe,  by  reafon  of  its  low- 
price.  The  indigo  of  St.  Domingo  is  much  dearer. 

The  indigo  of  Carolina  and  Georgia  has  acquired 
a  much  better  quality  fince  the  firft  quantities  of  it 
arrived  in  Enghnd;  but  I  have  not  learned  that  it 
is  to  be  compared  with  the  indigo  of  Domingo.  Tra 
vellers  fay,  that  Carolina  produces  indigo  almoft  as 
good  as  that  of  the  French  iflands. 

There  are  kinds  of  dying  to  which  low  priced  in 
digo  is  proper;  and,  for  this  reafon,  certain  dyers 
uie  that  of  the  Carolinas  and  Georgia.  In  thefe  cafes 
it  will  always  have  the  preference.  Therefore  Ame 
rican  indigo  mould  be  admitted  as  long  as  there  is  a 
confumption  for  it,  for  the  Americans  will  continue 
O  to 

*  The  exportation  from  Charlefton,  from  December  1784, 
to  December  1785,  amounted  to  67.713  barrels. 

•f-  The  exportation  of  dye-fluff,  made  in  17^5,  from  Charlef- 
lon,  amounted  to  500^.9^0  pound  weight. 


14-6  ON   THE  COMMERCE  OF  THE 

to  cultivate  it;  and  fince  this  cultivation  cannot  be 
prevented,  the  mofl  advantageous  thing  is  to  flrive 
to  become  agents  in  the  general  commerce  of  Ame 
rica, 

Flax-  Seed. 

North-America  fent  to  England  and  Ireland,  dur 
ing  the  years  1768,  1769,  and  1770,  flax-feed  to  the 
amount  of  two  millions  and  a  half  of  livres  tournois ; 
it  was  all  confumed  in  Great-Britain.  The  advan 
tage  of  paying  for  this  feed  with  Irifh  linens,  gave  it 
the  preference  to  that  of  Flanders  arid  the  Baltic. 
Flax-feed  from  thefe  countries  is,  moreover,  very 
dear. 

It  is  the  bufinefs  of  thofe  French  merchants,  who 
may  be  interefted  in  the  commerce  with  the  United 
States,  to  confider  what  advantages  they  may  derive 
from  this  commerce.  If  the  culture  of  flax  becomes 
cxtenfive  in  France,  foreign  feed  ought  to  be  pre 
ferred  for  two  reafons: — the  quality  of  the  produc* 
tion  is  improved  by  it,  and  there  is  more  advantage 
in  fpinning  flax  in  peopled  and  induftrious  countries, 
than  in  letting  it  ripen  to  gather  feed.  It  appears, 
that  flax-feed  comes  not  in  .abundance,  but  from 
countries  where  there  are  not  hands  fufficient  tofpin, 
or  give  the  firft  preparation,  even  to  the  flax  they 
produce:  it  is  then  proper  to  cultivate  it  for  its  feed, 
which  becomes  a  considerable  article  of  commerce; 
as  long  as  this  ftate  of  things  fubfifts,  it  muit  alfo  be 
proper  for  peopled  countries  to  get  flax-feed  from 
abroad. 

Flanders  feeins  to  be  an  exception  ;  but  the  expor 
tation  of  flax  is  there  prohibited,  for  the  purpofe  of 
encouraging  fpinning,  &c.  in  this  cafe  Flanders,  be- 
inga  country  very  proper  for  the  cultivation  of  flax, 
may  leave  to  many  cultivators  of  this  plant  no  other 
refource  than  the  commerce  of  the  feed.  It  is  pro 
bable,  that  if  the  flax  could  be  fcnt  from  Flanders, 

after 


UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA.  147 

after  the  firft    preparation  for  fpinning,    nobody 
would  think  of  gathering  the  feed. 

SECTION  VII.      - 

Naval  Stores,  fuch  as  Pitch,  Tar,  and  Turpentine, 

Before  the  emancipation  of  America,  England  re* 
ceived  conliderable  fupplies  of  thefe  articles  from 
America,  particularly  from  Carolina  and  the  South. 
The  quantities  of  thefe  articles  amounted  annually, 
during  the  years  1768,  1769,  and  1770,  to  twenty- 
ieveri  thoufand  feven  hundred  barrels  of  pitch  ;  eigh 
ty-two  thoufand  four  hundred  barrels  of  tar;  and 
twenty-eight  thoufand  one  hundred  of  turpentine: 
the  whole  amounting,  in  the  port  of  exportation,  to 
one  million  two  hundred  and  twenty-eight  thoufand  • 
livres  tournois. 

Thefe  {lores  were  very  valuable  to  the  Englifli,  as 
well  for  their  commerce  as  for  their  proper  coni'iimp- 
'-ion.  Two  confiderable  manufactures,  eftabiifhed 
?at  Hull,  were  fupported  by  then);  tar  was  there 
convened  into  pitch,  confiderable  quantities  of  it 
were  exported  to  the  fouth,  where  it  was  received 
in  competition  with  that  from  the  north  of  Europe. 
'Turpentine,  converted,  in  thefe  manufactures  into 
oil  or  fpirit,  furnifhed  a  confiderable  object  of  com 
merce.  England  confumes  a  great  deal  of  it  in  the 
preparation  of  colours,  varnifhes,  &c. 

The  American  revolution  has  not  made  the  Eng- 
liili  lofe  fight  of  thefe  ftores  :  the  want  they  have  of 
them  makes  it  imprudent  to  trnft  wholly  to  the  ex 
portation  of  thefe  articles  from  Kuffia  and  Sweden, 
where  the  Engliili  have  the  Dutch  for  competitors, 
Moreover,  the  navigation  of  America,  lefs  dangerous 
than  that  of  the  Baltic,  is  not,  like  the  Jaft,  limited 
to  a  certain  time  of  the  year;  it  is  confequently  more 
frequent  and  lefs  expensive;  fo  th:v.  th«-fc  itores  will 
come  for  a  long  time  from  Ame*  ics  -  '-ver  price 
O  a  thaw 


148  ON  THE  COMMENCE   OF  THE 

than  from  the  north.  American  tar  is  as  good  a? 
that  of  Europe,  thicker  and  more  proper  for  making 
pitch  -,  it  is  preferred  for  iheep,  even  at  a  higher 
price.  American  turpentine  is  inferior  to  none  but 
that  of  France. 

An  Englifh  merchant  has  taught  the  Ruffians  how 
to  ftirnifh  as  good  turpentine  as  that  from  any  other 
nation:  this  production  will  be  in  great  abundance 
there,  by  the  numerous  and  immenfe  forefts  of  firs  in 
the  neighbourhood  of  Archangel,  where  their  crops 
are  depofited. 

The  ftate  of  things  {hews  to  France  what  value  Ihe 
ought  to  attach  to  the  naval  (lores  which  may  be  fur- 
nifhed  from  America.  The  quantities  of  them  ex 
ported  from  Charleiton  become  more  and  more 
confiderable.*  The  fandy  foil  near  the  fea,  in  North 
Carolina  and  the  fouth  of  Virginia,  produces  a  great 
quantity  of  firs,  from  which  tar  and  turpentine  are 
extracted;  this  is  done  without  much  trouble,  and 
the  facility  of  felling  and  preparing  the  trees  is  a  great 
encouragement. 

SECTION  VIII. 

Timber  and  Wood,  for  Carpenters  and  Coopers  work;  fuch 
as  Staves-^  Cafe-heads^  Planks^  Boards,  &c, 

France,  as  well  as  England,  ought  to  be,  for  their 
own  interefts,  engaged  to  favour  the  importation  of 
thefe  articles,  of  which  the  United  States  can  furnifh 
iuch  great  quantities. 

fT*'  1 

I  imber 


*  In  X7Sz.— 2041  barrels  of  pitch,  tar,  and  turpentine,  were 
-:ed  from  Charlefton.     In  1783, — 14697  barrels.    1  know 
w  many   barrels   the  exportation  of   1784  amounted  to ; 
rut  that  of   1785    confifted    of  17,000.     The  fame  increafe  is 
obferved  in  other  articles.     The  moft  confiderable   is   rice,  af 
terwards  indigo  j— -the  ether  articles  are,    tobacco,   oeer-fkins, 
timber,    wheat,    bu:ter,  wax,  and   leather.     This  exportation 
amounts  to  near  four  hundred  rhoufaad  pounds  flerling. 


UNITED  STATES  OlT  AMERICA.  149 

Timber  fails  in  France,  and  will  become  more 
and  more  fcarce;  population  deftroys  it: — yet  tim 
ber  muft  be  found  for  houfes,  mills,  &c. — hogiheatU 
muft  be  made  for  fugars;  calks  and  barrels  for  wine, 
brandy,  &c.  Theie  articles  of  timber  are  principally 
furnifiied  from  the  North  to  the  ports  of  France — 
but  they  become  dear,  their  quality  diminishes,  and 
the  Americans  have  the  advantage  in  the  carriage.* 

The  value  of  thefe  articles,  exported  from  Ameri 
ca  to  Great-Britain  only,  amounted  to  two  millions 
of  livres  tournois  in  the  year  1770,  according  to  a 
fiatement  drawn  up  in  the  Cuftom-Houfe  of  Bollon. 
The  general  exportations  to  the  Englifii,.  French, 
American,  and  Spanifti  iflands,  and  to  the  different 
parts  of  Europe,  are  immenfe  and  become  daily  more 
confiderable.  Were  not  this  timber  of  a  good  qua 
lity,  the  increafe  of  this  commerce  would  not  be  fo 
rapid.  The  French  have  in  this  refpeft  fome  preju 
dices,  which  it  is  of  importance  to  deftroy.  If  the 
American  ftaves  are  efteemed  in  making  rum  cafks, 
&c.  they  will  undoubtedly  preferve  our  brandies. 

*  It  is  neceffary  to  give  our  readers  an  idea  of  the  price  of 
fome  of  thefe  articles:  an  American  very  converfant  in  them 
h-s  furnished  us  with  the  neceflary  particular?. 

White  oak  planks,  of  two  inches  and  a  half  thick,  fa  wed  by 
the  hand,  were  fold  in  1785,  at  fifteen  piaftres,  or  two  hun 
dred  and  fixty  livres  ten  fols  tournois,  the  thoufand  feet. 

Ordinary  planks  of  fine  white  pine,  an  inck  thichj  fourteen 
or  fifteen  feet  long,  and  from  a  foot  to  fourteen  inches  wide, 
were  fold  at  the  fome  time  at  feven  piaftres,  or  thirty. feven 
livres  tournois,  the  thoufand  feet.— Tliofe  of  a  double  thick- 
nefs,  double  the  price. 

Planks,  from  two  to  five  inches  thick,  and  from  fifteen  to 
/ixty  feet  long,  at*  twenty-one  pounds  New-York  money,  or 
two  hundred  and  (eventy- three  livres  tournois,  the  thoufand 
feet.-— The  fame  perfon  faid  he  had  feen  curbs  or  b-nt  timber, 
at  ten  ihillings  New-York  money  a  ton,  the  expence  of  cutting, 
fcc.  not  included. 


O  3  SECTION 


J£0  ON  THE  COMMERCE  OF  THE 

SECTION  IX. 

I'' effels  ccriftr  ufted  in  America,  to  lejold  or  freighted. 

It  has  been  obferved  that  the  bulk  of  the  commo 
dities  which  might  be  exchanged  by  the  commerce 
between  France*"and  the  United  States,  was,  at  an 
equal  value,  much  more  conftderable  on  the  fide  of 
America  than  that  of  France.  There  refults  from 
this,  that  in  thefe  exchanges,  a  great  number  of  Ame 
rican  veflels  mu ft  be  fubjeft  to  return  to  America  in 
ballaft.  This  ftate  of  things  would  certainly  be  pre 
judicial  to  the  commerce  between  the  two  nations, 
if  feme  compenfation  could  not  be  eftablifhed 
which  (hould  remove  the  inequality. 

This  compenfation  may  be  made  in  a  very  advan 
tageous  manner  to  both.  The  independent  Ameri 
cans  conftrufl  veflels  for  fale:  if  it  be  agreeable  to  a 
nation  to  purchafe  of  another  the  articles  which  this 
manufactures  at  a  lefs  expence,  and  with  more  means, 
it  follows,  that  the  French  ought  to  buy  American 
vefTels ;  and,  in  fa£t,  this  commerce  begins  to  be 
fftabl  i  (lied. 

Lord  Sheffield  reprobates  this  commerce  with  re- 
fpeft  to  his  own  country. — "  Its  exiftence,"  fays 
his  Lordfhip,  "  depends  on  its  navy;  this  depen'ds 
**  as  much  on  Engliih  '{hip-builders  as  on  Englifh 
<;  failors;  therefore,  of  all  trades,  that  of  fhip-build- 
"  ing  is  the  moft  important  to  be  preferved  in  Great- 
"  Britain."  The  advances,  according  to  his  Lord 
fhip,  are  of  little  confequence,  and  thefe  vefleis  no: 
being  deftined  to  be  fold  to  foreigner^  what  they  coil 
ought  to  be  confidered  fo  much  the  lefs,  as  the  ex- 
pence  is  incurred  in  the  country. 

Lord  Sheffield  prefnmes  alfo,  that  {hip-building 
will  be  encouraged  in  New-Scotland,  Canada,  the 
Ifland  of  St.  John,  &c.  Finally,  his  Lordfhip  declares, 
c  that  the  encouragement  of  fliip-building  in  the 

"  United 


UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA.  I  5.-! 

**  United  States  is  ruinous  to  Great-Britain;  that  it 
"  is  the  fame  to  thofe  who  may  purchafe  American 
"  built  vefiels;  becaufe,  notwithstanding  their  cheap- 
"  nefs,  thefe  veflels  are  little  durable,  from  the  na- 
"  ture  of  their  materials."  This  obfervation  relates 
particularly  to  veflels  built  forfale,  which,  his  Lord- 
lliip  fays,  "  are  very  inferior  to  thofe  which  are  be-, 
"  fpoken." 

It  cannot  be  denied,  that  it  is  of  confquence  to  a 
nation  which  attaches  a  great  importance  to  its  navy, 
to  have  (hip-builders.  The  repairs,  &c.  of  which 
veflels  are  conftantly  in  want,  would  be  badly  di 
rected,  if  there  were  not,  in  the  clafs  of  workmen 
to  whom  this  induftry  belongs,  men  capable  of 
con(truc~tinga  vefiel,and  habituated  to  this  conftruc- 
tion.  What  is  (till  more,  as  foon  as  a  nation  has  a 
navy,  it  is  greatly  to  its  intereft  to  poflefs  every 
means  of  improving  it;  and  the  poflellion  of  thefe 
means  is  fo  much  more  fecure  when  there  are  efta- 
bli(hments  in  the  country  which,  in  this  cafe,  fup- 
port  emulation,  by  the  conftant  exercife  of  the  art. 

But  it  does  not  follow,  that  to  preferve  fuch  an 
advantage,  a  nation  ought  to  have  no  other  veflels 
than  thofe  which  are  home  built:  it  is  here  neceflary 
to  diftinguifh  {hips  belonging  to  the  royal  navy  from 
merchant  (hips.  The  firft  are  alone  fufficient  to 
employ  a  requifite  number  of  able  builders,  and  to 
ftipply  every  thing  which  the  conftru6tion  and  re 
pairs  of  veflels  require.  But  merchant  (hips,  of  which 
a  confiderable  number  is  wanted,  may  be  procured 
from  abroad,  if  thofe  of  an  eqnal  quality  can  be  had 
at  a  price  considerably  lefs. 

Will  it  be  faid,  that  a  nation  becomes  fo  much 
the  more  powerful  at  fea,  as  the  conftru6lion  of  vef- 
fels  is  encouraged  in  her  ports?  that  under  this  point 
of  view  it  is  neceflary  to  be  cautious  not  to  furniili  the 
independent  Americans  with  the  means  of  forming  a 

navy, 


I$a  GtfTHli  COMMERCE  OF  THE 

navy,  which  would  render  them  formidable?  that  it 
is  at  lead  unneceffary  to  haften  thefe  means  ? 

If  this  confideration  were  true,  it  would  in  ibrne 
meafure  impofe  on  France  a  law  to  encourage  th? 
United  States  to  form  their  navy;  for,  however  for 
midable  her  own  may  be,  fhe  has  too  many  natural 
obftacles  to  remove  for  her  navy  to  be  the  effecl  of 
any  thing  but  painful  efforts,  and  confequently  that 
it  ihoulcl  be  an  eftablifhment  very  difficult  to  main 
tain, — very  expensive,  and  fubjeift  to  long  intermif- 
tions.  And  fince  it  is  necefLr.y  to-  fpeak  conftantly 
of  a  threatening  rivality, — of  an  armed  rivality, — 
France  has  the  greateft  intereft,  to  balance  more  fu re 
ly  the  force  of  her  rivals,  by  calling  to  her  aid  the 
naval  force  of  a  friendly  people, — of  a  people  to 
•whom  nature  has  been  prodigal  in  the  means  (lie  has 
given  them  of  having  a  confiderable  one. 

But  the  policy  which  refufed  to  purchafe  Ameri 
can  veflels,  for  fear  the  Americans  fhould  become 
formidable  at  fea,  would  be  badly  founded.-  A  fure 
manner  of  retarding  the  eftablifhment  of  a  navy,  by 
a  nation  which  poffe  fifes  the  means  and  materials;  the 
power  and  a&ivity  which  fuch  a  great  eftablifhment 
requires,  is  to  employ  it  continually  in  theconftruc- 
tion  of  veiTels  for  fale,  and  to  habituate  it  to  this  kind 
of  commerce.  If  this  nation,  and  fuch  is  the  pofi- 
tion  of  the  United  States,  has  nothing  to  fear  inte 
riorly  from  any  other  power,  it  will  certainly  defpife 
all  fuch  military  preparations,  whole  profit  and  utility 
will  not  be  fo  immediately  perceived,  as  the  frequent 
gains  of  peaceful  commerce.  Therefore,  let  the  inde 
pendent  Americans  be  perfuaded  to  build  veflels  for 
/ale:  let  them  not  be  provoked  to  build  fliips  for  de- 
fenfive  and  offenfive  operations,  and  they  will  neg- 
left  the  great  means  with  which  nature  has  furniflud 
them,  of  having  a  refpeftable  navy:  they  will  even 
negleft  them,  when  greater  riches,  and  a  more  con- 

fulerable 


UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA.  T^J 

fidcrable  population,  (hall  facilitate  to  them  the  ufe 
of  their  natural  means. 

Far  from  luffering  by  this  new  arrangement  of 
things,  France  would  gain  thereby.  This  idea  will 
undoubtedly  appear  extraordinary,  becaufe,  in  a- 
bandoning  workmanship  to  American  {hip-builders, 
France  is  deprived  of  it  :  but  how  eafily  may  flie 
compenfate  this  apparent  lofs !  In  fact,  when  no 
thing  is  to  be  had  without  labour,  it  is  then  confi- 
dered  as  real  riches :  therefore,  it  ought  to  be  em 
ployed  with  a  prudent  economy,  efpecially  in  the 
fyftem  of  national  rivalities.  The  workmen  who 
will  not  build  veflels,  will  make  cloth,  with  which 
veflels  may  be  paid  for.  The  expence  of  manufac 
turing  thefe  cloths  will  be  paid  at  home,  as  that  for 
the  conftruction  of  veflels  would  have  been ;  by 
which  means  thefe  will  be  had  at  a  cheaper  rate, 
This  labour  and  expence  will  therefore  produce 
greater  advantages,  and  place  the  nation  in  a  more 
ceiirable  relation  with  its  rivals. 

Finally,  Lord  Sheffield,  whofe  narrow  policy  is 
here  refuted,  propofes  that  fhip-building  fhould  be 
encouraged  in  Canada,  New-Scotland,  &c.  But  do 
phylical  circumftances  favour  thefe  countries  as 
much  as  the  United  States?  Can  England  reap  real 
advantages  from  this  encouragement?  It  is  a  quei- 
tion  with  which  feveral  writers  have  combated  Lord 
Sheffield,  and  on  which  I  cannot  decide. 

But  if  England  had  this  refource,  France  would 
be  without  it.  Veflels  built  in  America  will  always 
coft  her  lefs  than  her  own,  or  thofeconftructed  elfe- 
where:  fhe  ought  therefore  to  favour  the  introduc 
tion  of  the  iirft. 

A  celebrated  minifler,  whom  France  has  reafort 
to  regret,  thought  as  follows  :  his  defign  was  to  get 
a  part  of  the  veflels  of  the  French  navy  connructed 
in  Sweden;  he  thereby  expected  to  make  great  fav- 

ingst 


2_54  ON  THE  COMMERCE  OF  THE 

ings :  they  will  be  greater  and  more  real,  in  getting* 
the  vefTels  conftructed  in  the  United  States. 

The  Englifh  tuemfelves  will  not  be  able  to  refift 
the  force  of  things;  they  will  fooner  or  latter  return 
to  the  ufe  of  American  veiTels ;  for  thtfe  coft  but  a 
third*  of  what  Englifh  veflels  are  builr  for;  and  the 
cheapnefs  is  the  fir  ft  law  of  commerce. 

The  bad  quality  attributed  to  American  veflels  is- 
a  fable,  anting  from  the  following  circumftances:  in 
the  contention  for  independence,  the  Americans 
built  veflels  in  hyfte,  to  arm' them  as  cruifers :  they 
were  forced  to  make  life- of  wood  which  was  green, 
and  unprepared ;  other  things  were  either  wanting 
to  theie  veflels,  or  precipitately  prepared.  Conie- 
quentiy  the  veflels  were  imperfect  ;  but  this  imper 
fection  was  but  accidental.  A  cruife  is  a  lottery, 
wherein  no  notice  is  taken  of  the  goodnefs  and  dura 
bility  of  the  veflel.  It  is  fufficient  that  it  be  a  good 
iailer,  this  is  the  eflential  quality. 

Peace  has  re- eftabli filed  the  conftruclion  of  veflels 
in  the  manner  it  ought  to  be;  and  there  are  American 
veflels  built  before  the  war,  and  fome  thirty  years  agoj 
which  for  goodnefs  and  duration  are  not  inferior  ta 
any  Englifh  veflel. 

More  pro'orefs  has  been  made  in  America  than  any 
where  elie  in  the  art  of  fhip-building;  this  is  eafily 
explained: — it  mil  ft  not  be  forgotten,  when  the  inde 
pendent  Americans  are  fpoken  of,  that  they  are  not 
recovering  from  a  flate  of  barbarity.  They  are  men 
efcaped  from  European  civilization,  employed,  fo  to 
jpeak,  in  creating  their  country  and  refources:  no 
iliackles  reflrain  their  efforts,  every  thing  in  Europe 
is  looked  upon  as  perfect,  and  made  ufe  of,  without 
thinking  of  improving  it.  Thefe  two  eflential  dif 
ferences 

*  In  New-England  the  conftruftors  of  vefiels  make  their  bar 
gains  at  the  rate  of  three  pounds  fterling  per  tou,  carpenter's 
work  included.  On  the  Thames,  the  price  ii  nine  pounds  Pcr~ 
Jjpg  for  the  workalune  of  the  carpenter. 


UNITED  STATES  OF   AMERICA.  IJJ 

-ferences  caufe  a  very  confiderable  one  in  the  intensity 
of  induftry. 

Bofton  has  produced  a  man  aftonifliing  in  the  art 
of  (hip-building.  Long  and  clofely  employed  in  the 
fcarch  of  means  to  unite  fwiftnefs  of  failing  in  veflels 
to  their  folidity,  Mr.  Peck  has  had  the  greateft  fuc- 
cefs.  It  was  his  hand  which  produced  the  Beiifarius, 
the  Hazard,  and  theRattlefnake,  which  were  fo  par 
ticularly  diftinguiihed  during  the  late  war  by  their 
fwiftnefs  of  failing.  Veflels  conflrucled  by  this  able 
builder  have  qualities  which  others  have  not;  they 
carry  a  fourth  more,  and  (ail  (after.  Thefe  facts  are 
authenticated  by  a  number  of  experiments. 

The  Englifli  themfelves  acknowledge  the  fupe- 
rlority  of  American  (hip-build\ng:  "  The  fined  vef- 
i{  fels,"  fays  Colonel  Champion,  "  are  built  at  Phila- 
"  delphia;  the  art  of  (hip-building  has  attained  in 
"  that  city  the  higheft  degree  of  prefeclion.  Great 
**  veiTels  are  built  in  New -York,  alfo  in  the  Chefa- 
*4  peak,  and  in  South-Carolina:  thefe  laft,  made  of 
*'  green  oak,  are  of  an  unequalled  folidity  and  dura- 
"  bility." 

The  American  Proverb  fays :  That  to  have  a  perfeft 
ve/fil,  it  mujl  have  a  Bofton  bottofn  and  Philadelphia Jides, 

The  French,  if  connoifleurs  be  believed,  are  very 
inferior  to  the  Americans  in  the  minutiae  of  {hip- 
building.  This  fuperiority  of  America  ought  not 
to  furprife  us:  it  will  ftill  increafe.  The  indepen 
dent  Americans  who  inhabit  the  coafts,  live  by  the 
fea,  and  pride  themfelves  in  navigation.  As  they 
have  competitors,  their  genius  will  never  fleep,  nor 
will  its  efforts  be  (hackled  in  any  manner  whatever. 
In  France,  the  people  are,  and  ought  to  be  culiva- 
tors;  the  marine  is  but  a  fubordinate  part,  and  by 
the  nature  of  things,  it  muft  enjoy  but  a  very  preca 
rious  confideration.  Honour,  which  affects  the 
head  of  every  Frenchman,  is  diftributed  but  at  Pa 
ns  and  at  Court ;  and  there  men  are,  and  muft  dill 

be, 


TCjG  ON  THE  COMMERCE  OF  THE 

be,  far  from  perceiving  the  importance  of  attaching 
merit  to  the  improvement  of  (hip-building ;  it  ran  ft 
therefore  languifh,  or  yield  to  that  of  the  Ameri 
cans.  Hence  it  refults,  that  the  French,  in  pre- 
ferving  every  thing  which  can  maintain  amongft 
them  an  able  clafs  of  mip-builders,  muft  buy  veflels 
of  the  Americans;  becaufe  every  convenience  is 
united  to  that  of  facilitating  their  reciprocal  impor 
tations  and  exportations,  of  which  the  bulks  are  fo 
different  in  one  nation  from  thofe  of  the  other. 

This  circumftance  is  attended  with  the  advantage 
of  procuring  the  French  merchant  an  American  vef- 
fel  at  a  lefs  price  than  if  he  had  ordered  ittobe  built, 
or  if  he  bought  it  in  America,  becaufe  it  will  always 
be  more  to  the  intereft  of  the  American  to  fell  his 
veflel,  than  to  take  it  back  in  ballaft. 

Such  is  the  fitnefs  of  American  veflels  for  the 
French  marine,  and  especially  for  merchant  fervice ; 
fuch  is  that  fitnefs  for  all  the  European  powers  who 
have  harbours  and  lea-port  towns,  that  I  think  a  fure 
and  commodious  road  in  Europe  would  foon  be  af- 
forted  with  American  veflels  for  fale,  if  every  thing 
which  can  encourage  a  like  depofitory  were  granted 
to  the  port  wherein  this  road  might  be.  This  mar 
ket  for  veflels  will  be  eftablifhed; — the  Englifti  reject 
it.  France  will,  in  a  fhort  time,  encourage  it. 

SECTION  X. 

General  Confederations  on  the  preceding  Catalogue  of  Im 
portations  from  the  United  States  into  France. 

The  lift  which  I  have  gone  through  of  the  arti 
cles  with  which  the  independent  Americans  may 
furnifti  Europe  in  exchange  for  her  merchandize  is 
not  very  long;  but  thefe  articles  are  confiderable, 
and  important  enough  in  themfelves  to  merit  the  at 
tention  of  European  merchants:  they  are  fufficient 
to  deftroy  the  prejudices  of  thofe  who,  under  the 

falfe 


"UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA.  I  $f 

•falfe  pretext  of  the  inability  of  the  Americans  to  fur- 
iiifh  articles  of  exchange,  difdain  a  reciprocal  com 
merce  with  the  United  States.  Thefe  articles  are  not, 
however,  the  only  ones  which  France  may  receive 
from  them.  Independently  of  pot-afh,  fo  precious 
to  manufacturer,  and  of  which  the  fcarcity  becomes 
daily  nure  fenfible,  iron,  vegetable-wax,  wool,  flax, 
hemp,  &c.  may  increafe  the  number.  The  Englilh 
received  of  pot-am  to  the  amount  of  four  hundred 
thoufanxl  livres  per  annum,  during  the  years  1768, 
1769,  and  1770:  pot-am  being  the  produce  of  the 
wood  burnt  by  the  Americans,  and  as  the  burning 
•of  wood  muft  increafe  with  the  number  of  people, 
.the  quantities  of  pot-aili  muft  have  increafed  with 
Copulation. 

I  ought  to  hope  that  the  work,  once  known  in 
the  United  States,  will  excite  the  independent  Ame 
ricans  to  co-operate  with  me,  in  what  I  have  pro- 
pofed  to  myfelf,   which  is  to  fpread  inftruction  on 
every  thing  which  relates  to  their  country.     They 
.will  make  known  to  Europe,  in  a  more  extenfive 
-and  complete  manner,  every  thing  which  can  main 
tain  that  reciprocal  commerce  in  favour  of  which 
I  write.:  they  will  aflemble  in  a  work  correfpondent 
to  this,  all  that  I  have  been  able  to  expofe  but 'im 
perfectly:  they  will  rectify  my  errors.   I  invite  them 
to  apply  to  this  interefting  fubject:    I  pray  them  to 
give  it  for  a  bads,  more  philofophical,  and  philan- 
•throphical  principles,  than  thofe  which  have  hither 
to  directed  the  jealous  induftry  of  each  fociety.     For 
-each,  led  on  by  a  blind  ambition,  has  wimed  to 
embrace  every  thing,  to  do  every  thing  at  home, 
and  furnifh  every  thing  to  others;  each  has  taken 
for  principle  to  receive  nothing  from  others,  except 
it  be  gold;  each  has  accuftomed  itfelf  to  Took  upon, 
.every  production,  manufactured  or  unmanufactured, 
which  it  fent  abroad  as  a  profit,  and  all  thofe  which 
it  received  as  fo  many  lofles.     Such  is  the  falfe  prin- 
P  ciple, 


If^S  ON  THE  COMMERCE  OF  THE 

ciple,  according  to  which  all  the  European  nations 
have  directed  their  exterior  commerce. 

What  would  be  the  confequence  of  a  like  fyftem, 
if  it  continued  to  prevail?  All  nations  would  be 
Grangers  to  each  other,  and  exterior  commerce  ab- 
folutely  annihilated;  becaufe  it  tends  to  take  from 
this  commerce  that  which  fupports  it.  For  the  gold 
which  is  wifhed  for  in  payment  .for  exportations  is 
refufed  to  thofe  who  would  obtain  it:  all  nations 
look  upon  the  neceflity  of  giving  it  alike;  that  it  is 
difadvantageous — and  drive  to  avoid  it.  If,  there 
fore,  on  one  fide,  -none  will  take  return  in  kind,  and 
on  the  other,  nobody  will  difpoiTefs  himfelf  of  his 
gold,  what  will  become  of  exchanges?  .what  \vill 
become  of  commerce? 

Nature,  which  intended  to  make  men  fo  many 
brothers,  and  nations  fo  many  families; — nature, 
which,  to  unite  all  men  by  the  fame  tie,  has  given 
them  wants,  which  place  them  in  a  ftate  of  depen 
dence  one  on  the  other;— this  wife  nature  has,  by 
the  diftribution  of  her  giftr:,  anticipated  and  con 
demned  this  exclufive  fyftern.  She  has  faid  to  the 
inhabitants  of  Nantucket,  The  rock  which  thou  in 
habit  is  rude  and  ftormy;  renounce,  therefore,  the 
defire  of  drawing  from  ,it  .the  delicious  wines  and 
fruits  which  more  calm  and  temperate  climates  pro 
duce.  Look  at  the  fea  which  furrounds  thee, — that 
is  thy  property  and  thy  treafure:  I  have  made  it  inex- 
hauftible;  and  if  thou  knoweft  how  to  make  ufe  of 
it;  if  thou  wilt  confine  thyfelf. thereto,  all  the  enjoy 
ments  of  the  other  continent  are  thine:  a  (ingle 
ilroke  of  a  harpoon,  dexteroufly  thrown,  will  pro 
duce  a  thoufand  times  more  wine  in  thy  ceHar,  than 
if  by  a  painful  cultivation  thou  continued  obftinatc, 
in  acYmg  contrary  to  my  intentions. 

Nature  holds  the  fame  language  to  the  other  inha 
bitants  of  the  earth:  fhe  tells  the  French  to  ufe  all 
their  efforts  in  the  fruitful  foil  wnich  ftie  has  given 
•  thc$i.9 


STATES  OF   AMERICA'.  1  $C) 

and  to  ceafe  traverfing  foreign  feas  to  obtain, 
at  an  immenfe  expence  and  mucn  rifle,  the  fifh  and 
oil  which  the  inhabitants  of  Nantucket  procure  with 
greater  facility  and  more  fucccfs  and  economy. 

Why  mould  not  all  nations  underftand  a  language 
fo  fimple,  ib  wife,  and  io.  proper  to  produce  nniver- 
fal  harmony?  But  how  are  they  to  be  made  to  un-- 
derftand  it?  By  what  means  are  they  to  be  prevail 
ed  upon  to  adopt1  it  ?  What  means  are  proper  to  en 
gage  nations  which  might  have  a  direct  commerce 
between  them,  to  fign  a  treaty  of  commerce,  which 
fhould  leave  each  at  liberty  to  furniih  that  which  it 
could  export  better  and  cheaper  than  others;  and 
thus  eftablifh  exchanges  on  the  immutable  laws  of 
Mature?- 

As  foon  as  nations  (hall  be  enlightened  enough  to 
perceive  the  advantage  of  fuch  a  treaty,  from  that 
moment  it  will  ceafe  to  be  neceflary,  and  every  other 
treaty  will  be  ftill  lefs  fo.  It  will  then  be  feen,  that 
they  all  center  in  the  (ingle  word  liberty p.  It  will  be 
difcovered  that  liberty  can  put  every  thing  in  its 
place;  that  liberty  alone,  without  negochtion  or 
parchment,  can  every  where  give  birth  to  an  advan 
tageous  induftry.  Finally,  that  every  where,  and  at 
ail  times,  Hie  has  fported  with  thofe  commercial 
conventions,  of  which  politicians  have  fo  ridicu- 
loully  boafted;  of  thofe  conventions  wherein  the 
contracting  parties  are  inceflantly  on  the  defenfive 
with  refpect  to  each  other — inceflantly  difpofed  to 
deceive,  and  frequently  multiply  the  feeds  of  war  in 
a  work  of  peace. 

Under  fuch  a  fydem  of  liberty,  there  would  be  no 
longer  occafion  for  craftinefs  in  national  policy  with, 
refpect  to  commerce: — of  what  ufe  would  it  be? 
l\o  more  drifej  for  it  would  have  no  object.:  no 
more  jealoufy  or  rivalityj  no  more  fear  of  making 
others  profper  and  become  rich;  becaufe  the  riches 
cif  each  flats  would  be  advantageous  to  the  whole. 
P2  In 


:6o  ON  THE  COMMERCE  OF  THIS 

In  a  word,  according  to  this  fyftem,  each  naiioir 
would  wifh  the  other  more  means,  in  order  to  have 
more  to  give  and  more  to  receive.  Commerce 
xvould -become  what  it  ought  to  be,  the  exchange  of 
induftry  againil  induftry ;  of  enjoyments  againit  en 
joyments,  and  not  r.gainft  deprivations:  finally,  a 
ftate  of  riches,  without  poverty  on  any  fide. 

What  people  have  more  right  and  title  than  the 
Americans,  to  be  the  firft  in  adopting  fo  philanthro 
pies!  a  fyftem,  and  which  is  fo  conformable  to  the 
laws  of  nature — at  leaft  to  do  nothing  which  mail 
retard  it  among  them?  Let  their  Congrefs, — that 
refpectable  aflembly,  which  may  become  the  light 
of  nations,  and  from  whole  deliberations  univerfal 
happinefs  may  refult, — remain  faithful  to  the  indica 
tions  of  this  nature;  let  it  interrogate  her  conftantlyj 
and  give  every  nation  the  fame  ialutary  habitude. 

If  Europe  refufes  to  admit  the  productions  of  the 
United  States,  let  Congrefs,  rejecting  the  poor  policy 
of  reprifals,  open,  by  a  great  and  republican  refolu- 
lion,  their  ports  to  all  European  productions.  What 
evil  can  refult  from  this  to  the  independent  Ameri 
cans?  If  European  prohibitions  rendered  their 
means  of  exchange  ufelefs,  European  merchandize 
mil  ft  of  courfe  be  without  a  market  in  America  ;  or, 
falling  to  a  mean  price  in  the  United  States,  it  would 
become  profitable  to  the  Americans  in  paying  for  it 
even  with  gold. 

The  law  may  be  given  to.  an  idle  and  degraded  na 
tion,  but  never  to  one  which  is  active  and  induftri- 
ous.  This  always  punifhes,  in  fome  manner  or 
other,  the  tyrannical  proceedings  of  other  nations. 
The  force  of  things  is  alone  fufficient  to  revenge  it. 

it  is  a  misfortune  to  the  United  "States,  in  not 
having  been  able  to  eftablifh  at  firft  the  noble  fyftem 
of  which  I  have  fpoken,  and  to  '  e  obliged  to  have 
recourfe  to  the  miferable  means  of  other  govern 
ments, — that  of  impofiug  duties  on  foreign  merchan 
dize 


STATES  OF   AMERICA*  it 

<lize  to  pay  their  debts.  Every  impofition  but  a  quit- 
rent  upon  land  is  a  fonrce  of  errors.  The pretemkd 
protecting  duties  impofed  in  Europe  are  one  confe- 
quence  of  thefe  errors,  and  of  which  the  effecl:  leads 
government  aftray,  fo  far  as  to  perfuade  them,  that 
they  poflefs  a  creative  force  equal  to  that  of  the  Divi 
nity  himfelf.  And  what  are  thefe  enterprifes  by 
which  men  would  force  nature?  Miferable  hoi- 
houfes, — wherein  everything  is  haftened  to  finifli 
the  fooner;  wherein  induftry  vainly  exhaufts  itfelf 
to  iupport  an  unnatural  exiftence;  and  wherein  a  vi 
gorous  whole  is  frequently  facrificed  to  a  corrupted 
part. 

Let  the  Americans  carefully  avoid  thefe  erroneous 
enterprifes:  to  in  f LI  re  themfelves  therefrom,  let  them 
confider  the  ftate  of  Europe.  The  Europeans  have 
no  longer  any  judgment  in  matters  of  impoft :  (imple 
ideas  are  loft,  and  become  impoffible  to  be  realized 
by  the  metaphyfician,  which  it  is  neceiTary  to  employ 
to  combat  ignorance,  prejudices  and  habitudes:  all 
ideas  of  juftice  and  propriety  are  confounded.  A 
truth  cannot  be  advanced  without  meeting,  at  every 
moment,  falfe  notions  to  combat.  The  man  of  in 
formation  is  fatigued^-  difgufted,  and  frequently  at  a 
iofs  what  to  anfwer  to  objections  proceeding  from 
habits  of  error,  He  perceives  with  concern,  that 
the  laws  of  happinefs  cannot  be  written,  but  upon 
tables  from  which  there  is -nothing  to  be  effaced  :  and 
fuch,  I  flatter  myfelf,  is  the  fituation  of  the  United 
States.  They  are  yet  virgin  ftates — they  are  unac 
quainted  with  the  inftitutions  which  end  in  chaos,, 
wherein  the  love  of  public  good  lofes  all  its  force. 

Montefquieu  obferves,  that  the  enterprifes  of  mer 
chants  are  always  necefTarily  mixed  with  public  af 
fairs;  but  that  in  monarchies,  public  affairs  are  for 
the  moft  part  fufpicious  in  the  eyes  of  the  merchants. 
But  profperity  and  national  glory  depend  on  corrr- 
aaerce,  as  much  in  monarchies  as  in  other  conftitir- 
P  3 


162.  ON   THt  COMMENCE  OF  THE 

tions.  It  is  therefore  the  Interefl  of  monarchies  to 
give  to  merchants  that  hope  of  profperity  which  they 
have  in  republics,  and  which  inclines  them  with  ar 
dour  to  every  kind  of  commercial  enterprife. 

Provincial  adminiftrations  are  the  fureft  means  of 
producing  this  happy  effect.  If  they  were  already 
eftablifhed,  the  French  would  comprehend,  how  ab- 
furb  it  is  to  imagine  that  the  United  States  will  not 
difcharge  their  public  debt;  how  impoffible  it  is  that 
Republicans  ihould  make  ufe  of  the  difhonourable 
refource  of  bankruptcy  and  deception ;  and  that  their 
public  fpirit,  their  morals,  and  intereft,  require  them 
to  difcharge  this  debt,  contracted  for  the  moft  legiti 
mate  and  honourable  caufe  that  ever  exifted;  and 
which  is  otherways  but  an  atom  when  compared 
with  their  immenfe  refources.  French  merchants 
would  then  give  themfelves  lefs  concern  about  the 
manner  in  which  their  merchandize  was  to  be  paid 
for  in  America.  For  in  the  improbable  cafe  of  a 
want  of  American  productions,  or  of  precious  me 
tals,  they  have,  as  a  lafl  refource,  the  paper  of  Con- 
grefs  and  the  States ;  which  paper  it  is  an  advantage 
to  acquire,  by  the  price  at  which  it  is  obtained,  by 
the  intereft  it  bears,  the  certainty  of  its  being  paid, 
and  by  the  confequent  tranfmiffion  which  may  be 
made  of  it  in  commerce  to  the  Dutch  merchant,  to 
whom  the  paper  of  the  whole  world  becomes  necef- 
fary  the  moment  it  merits  confidence. 

I  have  mentioned  precious  metals.  The  Ameri 
cans  are  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  countries  which 
produce  them.  Thefe  countries  are  the  abodes  of 
indolence,  which  difpenfes  not  with  necefTaries. 
Skins,  &c.  of  animals,  and  fome  metals,  are  every 
thing  that  can  be  given  there  in  exchange  for  articles 
of  fubfiflence,  which  the  inhabitants  have  not  the 
courage  to  make  their  lands  produce,  and  for  the 
neceflaries,  for  which  they  find  it  more  convenient 
to  pay  with  gold  than  with  their  induftry.  The  in- 


UNITED   STATES  OF  AMERICA,  l6j 

dependent  Americans  will  become  factors,  advanta- 
geoufly  placed  between  European  manufactures,  and 
the  inhabitants  of  regions  condemned  by  nature  to 
the  fterile  productions  of  metals.  All  the  powers  of 
Spain  cannot  prevent  this,  nor  ought  even  to  under 
take  it.  This  new  confideration  promiling  to  the 
French  payment,  fo  fbolilhly  defired  in  gold,  ought 
to  encourage  them  to  prepare  for  a  commercial  coo* 
nexion  with  the  United  States. 


C  CONCLUSION, 

And  Refleftions  on  the  Situation  of  the  United  States,. 

XT  will  be  proper  to  fmiih  this  volume  by  fome 
explanations  of  the  pretended  troubles  which  agi 
tate  the  United  States.  Thefe  explanations  are  ne~ 
ceflary  to  deilroy  the  unfavourable  imprefiions  which 
rauft  be  made  by  the  unfaithful  recitals  of  gazette 
writers,  who,  from  fervile  prejudices  or  mean  inte- 
reft,  affect  to  fpread  doubts  of  the  happy  confequen- 
ces  of  the  revolution.  If  we  believe  thefe  people, 
the  independent  Americans  are  plunged  into  inextri 
cable  em  ban-ailments,  forced  to  become  bankrupts, 
given  up  to  the  moft  violent  anarchy,  expofed  to  the 
tomahawk  of  the  implacable  Indians,  &c.  How  is 
it  poflible  to  refolve  to  carry  on  a  commerce  with 
people  vvhofe  iltuation  is  fo  deplorable?  Ought  not 
their  ruin  to  be  feared  rather  than  their  fortune  hoped 
for,  in  the  connexions  which  it  is  wifhed  to  form 
with  them? 

It  is  necefiary  to  refute  thefe  falfehoods.     It  is  fa- 
much  the  more  fo,  as  ignorance  eafily  leads  people, 
little  acquainted  with  republican  conilituuoas,  into 


IC-4  ON  THE  COMMERCE  OF  THE 

error;  and  that,  led  aflray  by  the  prejudices  of  their 
educations,  a  great  number  of  Frenchmen  look  upon 
this  form  of  government  ns  a  itate  perpetually  in  a 
ierrnent,  \vherein  life  and  property  are  continually 
expofed  to  the  greateft  dangers. 

Thefe  prejudices  lead  to  the  belief  of  the  mod 
puerile  and  abfurd  fables.  The  leaf!  attention  is  not 
paid  to  circumlhnces.  Would  the  United  States 
have  a  Congrefs  of  magistrates  if  it  were  true  that 
the  people  were  at  war  with  them?  For  how  could 
Congrefs  and  the  magiftrates  defend  themfelvesr 
They  have  no  other  defence  but  the  refpect  which 
each  individual  has  for  the  law;  this  is  their  only 
force.  It  is  the  obligation  that  the  conilitution  im- 
pofes  on  them,  in  common  with  the  meaneft  citi- 
2ens,  of  being  obedient  to  the  law,  as  the  lait 
means  which  conftitute  their  only  fafety,  and  which 
maintains,  in  all  cafes  and  every  where,  the  authority 
which  the  people  have  confided  in  them.  They 
cannot  employ  a.  phyfical  force  farther  than  the  peo 
ple  are  willing  to  lend  them,  becaule  they  have  nei 
ther  an  army  nor  foldiers  in  pay. 

A  diverfity  of  opinion,  exifts  wherever  there  are 
men.  It  belongs  not  to  one  .con&itution  more  than 
to  another;  but  the -eflbnce  of  a  republican  govern 
ment  is  to  leave  to  each  individual  the  libsrty:of  ex- 
preffmg  his  fentimerits  on  every  fubjecl. 

In  the  United  States*  Icgiflation  is  more  and  more 
formed  in  proportion  as  things  relative  to  each  other- 
are  verified,  extended,  and  multiplied.  Is  it  afto- 
ziifhing  that  debates  fhould  arife  on  account  of  the 
different  laws  which  are  propofed,  difculled,  and 
adopted?  Thefe  debates  become  public,  animate 
converfation,  and  make  it  .highly •  intere-fting.  But 
is  this  anarchy? 

The  vvx^rd  anarchy  is  one  of  thofe  words  which 
has  been  moft  abufed  and  mifapplied.  Ic  is  there- 
fese  JKcelTary  to  explain  it, 

Where 


UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA.  l^ 

Where  anarchy  reigns,  there  is  neither  chief,  go 
vernment,  laws,  nor  fafety.  Each  individual  be 
comes  the  defender  of  his  own  perfon,  the  focial 
contract  is  broken,  and  there  is  no  longer  any  con 
fidence  or  tranfa&ions,  becaufe  there  can  be  no 
more  contracts.  Authority,  changing  at  every  in- 
ftant  its  rules,  principles,  and  aim,  becomes  cruel 
or  contemptible;  it  deftroys,  or  is  deftroyed.  Such 
a  ftare  ex  ids  not  long;  or  if  it  does  exift,  it  foon  di 
vides  fociety  into  armed  herds,  enemies  to  each 
other,  and  which  fubiift  but  in  proportion  as  they 
fear  and  counterbalance  each  other's  power. 

Is  any  thing  like  this  feen  in  the  United  States  <: 
Arc  there  difputes  even  about  the  principles  of  the 
conftitution,  the  fundamental  laws,  or  the  propofed 
end?  Has  not  every  thing  relative  to  this  been  long 
fince  agreed  upon?  The  prefent  debates  relate 
wholly  to  fome  rules  of  adminiftration :  it  is  upon 
the  beft  manner  of  ferving  the  public  caufe,  and  of 
fupporting  it,  that  minds  are  flili  in  a  falutary  agita 
tion;  and  this  agitation  hinders  not  more  the  regular 
courfe  of  public  affairs  and  tranfartions,  than  the 
debates  in  the  Englifii  Parliament  hinder  the  mo 
narch  from  naming  to  offices  and  conferring  rank — 
than  they  flop  the  courfe  of  judice,  or  are  impedi 
ments  to  the  affairs  of  every  clafs  of  citizens. 

The  word  anarchy  is  proper  to  dates  which,  like 
Egypt,  have  twenty -four  fovereigns,  and  neither 
laws  nor  government.  It  is  applicable  to  the  dege 
nerated  conftitutions  of  Afia,  where  the  admin  idra- 
tion  is  divided  into  feveral.  departments,  independent 
of  each  other,  traverfing  one  another  in  their  views 
and  pretenfions,  the  operations  of  one  part  interfer 
ing  with  thofe  of  the  other,  all  having  the  power  of 
making  particular  laws,  or  of  fufpending  the  effort 
of  thofe  which  exift.  There  a  real  anarchy  reigns, 
becanfe.it  is  not  known  where  the  government  is, 
nor  in  whom  the  legiilatlve  power  i$  veiled.  This 

incertitude 


l66  ON   THE   COMMERCE   OF  'ffl/ 

incertitude  brings  on  diforder,  renders  property  un- 
iiablc,  and  endangers  perfbnal  i?-fetv« 

None  of  theie  evils  exift  in-  the  United  States. 
America  is  not  yet  gnawed  by  the  vermin  which 
devour  Europe,  by  indeftru&ible  mendicity  :'  thieves 
render  not  her  forefts  dangerous;  her  public  roads 
are  not  flamed  with  blood  ihed  by  afTaffins.  How 
ihould  there  be  aflaffins  and  robbers?  There  are  no- 
beggars,  no  indigent  perfons,  no  fubje&s  forced  to- 
Heal  thefubfiitence  of  others  to  procure  one  to  than-- 
feives.  Every  man  rinds  there  lands  to  produce  hin;: 
articles  of  fubliftence :  it  is  not  loaded  with  taxes, 
but  renders  to  each,  with  ufuryy  a  wcompenfe  for 
his  labour.  A  man  who  can  live  eafy  and  honour 
ably,  never  confents  to  dishonour  himfelf  by  nfelefs 
crimes,  which  deliver  him  to  the  torments  of  rernorfev 
diflionour,  and  the  vengeance  cf  fociety.- 

The  ravages  of  the  feven  years  war'were  undoubt 
edly  terrible;  but  as  focn  as  the  faulchion  could  be 
converted  into  a  plough- (hare,,  the  land  became  fer 
tile,  and  mifery  difappeared.-  The  American  foldiers 
were  citizens;  and  they  were  alio  proprietors  before 
they  became  ioldiero;.  they  remained  citizens  in  uni 
form,  and  returned  to  their  profeifions  on  quitting 
it:  they  did  not  fight  for  money,  nor  by  profeiiion, 
bat  for  their  liberty,  their  wives,  children,  and  pro-- 
perty;  and  fuch  foldisrs  never  lefembled  the  banditti 
of  the  old  continent,.,  who  are  paid  for  killing  their 
fellow-creatures,,  and  who  kill  on  the  highways  for 
their  own  account,  when  peace -obliges-their  mailers- 
to  difband  them.-  There  has  been  ieen  in  America 
(what  the  annals  of  the.  world  prefers!  not  in  any 
ftate,  except  that  of  Rome)  a  General,. adored  by  his 
ibldiers,  diveit  hhnfell'  of  hi?  power  ns  foon  as  his 
jtrvices  became  no  lonjier  neceirary,  and  retire  into 
the  bofom  of  !>jace  and  ohfcurity  :  a  numerous  ar 
my,  which  was  not  p;i:J,  \va:-  ilen  »er.tToufiy  to  con- 
feiit  to  di.  ,  •  re-, 


STATES  OF  AMERICA.  167 

t-re,  each  to  his  home,  without  committing  the  leafi: 
eliforder,  and  where  each  tranquilly  retook  either  his 
plough,  or  his  nrft  trade  or  profcffion;  thcfe  trades 
which  we  in  Europe  look  upon  as  vile. 

The  following  advertifement  is  taken  from  the 
American  papers,  in  which  there  are  a  thoufand 
ethers  of  a  like  nature. 

Two  brothers,  Captains  who  diftinguifhed  them* 
Selves  during  the  war,  returned  at  the  peace  to  their 
trade  of  hat-making; — they  inferted  in  the  gazette 
an  advertifement  as  follows : 

"  The  brothers  Bickers  inform  the  public,  that 
"  they  are  returned  to  their  old  profeflion  of  hatters., 
a  which  they  had  abandoned  to  defend  the  liberty 
"  of  their  country.  They  hope  that  their  fellow-ci- 
"  tizens  will  be  pleafed,  in  confideration  of  their 
•*'  courage  and  fervices,  to  favour  them  in  their  bu- 
"  linefs,  and  prefer  them  to  others."  What  Euro 
pean  Captain  would  put  his  name  to  a  like  advertife- 
,ment  ? 

This  is  what  refults  from  liberty:  but  what  is  in- 
.conceivable  in  mod  European  ftates,  a  military  fpi- 
Tit  reigns  there,  and  its  prejudices  are  predominant, 
'War  is  the  read  to  glory,  ambition,  and  fortune;  and 
to  preferve  to  this  profeilion  it.s  luftre  and  prepon 
derance,  it  is  an  eftablimed  principle,  that  zftandlng 
army  is  necefiary  to  maintain  order  in  fociety;  that 
it  ought  .always  to  threaten  the  citizens,  although 
peaceful,  to  keep  them  in  fubmiffion  to  authority* 
This  ufelefs  burden,  this  pernicious  fpirit,  is  un 
known  to  the  United  States ; — public  fpirit,  much 
more  favourable  to  good  order,  takes  its  place,  and 
peace  and  fafety  reign  without  marechau0ee  or  fpies, 
or  that  police  which  disparages  the  morals  and  cha 
racters  of  citizens.  Public  fpii it  fupplies  the  place 
of  all  thefe  means,  whilft  they  will  never  fupply  tiie 
want  of  public  fpirit;  nor,  like  it,  produce  the  hap.» 
pinefs  of  fociety. 

la 


StJ8  ON  THE  COMMERCE  OF  THE 

In  vain  will  prejudiced  men  exclaim,  that  this  -is 
declamation- — I  offer  them  iacls.  It  is  necefTary  to 
read  the  American  gazettes — not  thofc  altered  by  the 
Englifn  gazette-writeis,  but  tliofe  which  are  printed 
in  America:  thefe  only  can  give  a  juft  idea  of  the 
Situation  of  the  United  States. 

The  American  fhould  rather  defpife  Europe,  in 
remarking  to  us  the  continual  (laughter  \ve  make  of 
thieves  and  afTaffins;  in  comparing  the  immenfe 
number  of  dungeons,  prifons,  hofpitals,  and  eftab- 
Hihments  of  every  kind,  inftituted  to  cure  or  palliate 
the  incurable  ulcers  of  the  old  inftitutions  :  in  com 
paring  this  difgnfting  lift  with  the  very  few  murders 
and  thefts  committed  in  the  United  States,  with  the 
hofpitals,  truly  di-meftic  and  humane,  which  are  eftab- 
lifhed  there,  with  the  happiuefs  of  each  American 
family  and  fheir  fimple  manners;  and  in  proving- to 
us,  by  their  example,  that  a  wile  liberty  regulates  the 
focial  man,  and  renders  ufelefs  thole  ruinous  ma 
chines  with  which  he  is  crumed,  left  he  fhould  do 
any  harm. 

Thefe  are  the  men,  the  laws,  and  the  govern 
ment,  which  Europeans  have  calumniated.  Thefe 
men  who  are  deftinecl  to  regenerate  the  dignity  of 
the  human  fpecies! — Thefe  laws  which  fcourge  no 
thing  but  crimes, — which  punifhthem  every  where, 
and  are  never  filent  in  the  face  of  power  ! — This  go 
vernment,  which  is  the  firft  that  ever  prefented  the 
image  of  a  numerous  family,  well  united,  and  com 
pletely  happy;  wherein  power  is  juft,  becaufe  it  circu 
lates  through  every  hand,  and  refts  in  none;  where 
in  obedience,  becaufe  it  is  voluntary,  anticipates 
command  ;  wherein admimftration is  fimpleand  eafy; 
becaufe  it  leaves  induftry  to  itfelf ;  wherein  the  ma 
gi  ftrate  has  little  to  do,  becaufe  the  citizen  is  free, 
and  that  a  citizen  always  refpecls  the  law  and  his 
fellow  creatures!  Thefe  are  the  prodigies  which  we 
.calumniate;  we,  Europeans,  enflaved  by  antiquated 


STATES  OF  AMERICA.  169 

confutations,  and  by  the  habitudes  given  to  us  by 
prejudices,  of  which  we  know  not  either  the  barba 
rity  or  the  frivoloufnefs !  We  fpeak  well,  but  aft 
badly;  why,  therefore,  do  we  calumniate  me<.,  who 
not  only  fpeak  but  aft  well?  If  it  be  not  pe"*Vitted 
MS  to  have  their  virtues,  nor  to  enjoy  their  happi- 
nefs,  let  us  not  decry  them  ;  let  us  refpect  that  fu- 
periority  to  which  we  cannot  att ••• 

It  will,  perhaps,  be  objected,  t-'ai  the  government 
of  England  has  deferred  the  ccnciufion  of  a  treaty  of 
commerce  with  the  United  States,  under  the  pre 
text  that  their  constitutions  were  not  yet  fufficiently 
eftabliflied.  But  can  it  be  imagined  that  the  English, 
who  trade  in  Turky,  with  the  Algerines,  and  at  Grand 
Cairo,  were  ferious  when  they  decried  and  rejected 
commercial  connexions  with  the  United  States,  un 
der  the  pretence  that  their  legiflation  was  not  yet  well 
enough  eftabliihed  ? 

It  cannot  be  doubted  that  the  difference*of  pofition 
between  the  French  and  Englifh  merchants,  refpect- 
ing  their  governments,  has  a  great  influence  upon 
their  reciprocal  profperity;  and  for  this  reafon,  it 
ihould  be  inceflantly  repeated  to  the  French  govern 
ment,  that  if  it  wifhes  to  infure  profperity  to  its  com 
merce,  it  ought  to  adopt  the  means,  which  are,  liberty 
of  a  fling, — the  right  of  protefting  againft  the  attempts 
made  on  that  liberty, — and  the  certainty  of  juftice, — 
•without  refpeft  to  perfons: — thefe  are  the  bafis  of  the 
genius,  induflry,  and  greatnefs  of  a  ftate;  and  with 
out  which,  a  great  commerce  cannot  exift:  this  bafis 
may  be  eafily  conciliated  with  the  French  conftitu- 
tion. 

Parity  February ,   1789. 


APPENDIX, 


APPENDIX; 


CONSISTING    OF 


AUTHENTIC    PAPERS 


AND 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Addfd  by  the  Editor. 


APPENDIX. 

Rffurn  of  the  whole  Number  of  Perfons  ivitfun  the  federal  Dtf- 
trifls  of  the  United  States,  according  to  "  an  Aft  providing 
for  the  Enumeration  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  United  States ;" 
pa/fed  March  the  ijl,  1791. 

The  return  for  South-Carolina  having  been  made  fince  the  following 
Schedule  was  originally  printed,  the  whole  Enumeration  is  here 
given  complete,  except  for  the  North-Weftern  Territory,  of  which 
no  Return  has  yet  been  pubjifhed. 


3  •££ 

M 

«*2 

a 

£  S  <*, 

§ 

6^ 

,0 

S  || 

U    « 

Cu 

DISTRICTS. 

•3  ~G  A 

•j=  s 

•I  J 

J 

Slafves. 

Total. 

~£    *     fcjO 

VO 

*^    bO 

C 

<u 

S    S/fJ 

t-*    ^) 

fi  "5  <£ 

O 

^11 

c 
a 

M:! 

§ 

Vermont 

2*435 

22,328 

40,505 

Z55 

16 

85,539 

N.Hamp/hire 

36,086 

34;85'i 

70,160 

630 

158 

141,885 

Maine 

24,384 

24,748 

46,870 

NONE 

96,540 

Maflachufetti 

95.453 

87,289 

190,582 

5463 

NONE 

378,787 

Rhode-Ifland 

16,019 

32,652 

3407 

948 

68,825 

Connecticut 

60,523 

54,403 

117,44? 

28o8 

2764 

237,946 

New-  York 

83,700 

78,322 

152,320 

4654 

21,324 

340,120 

New-Jerfey 

Pennsylvania 

iio',7SS 

41,446 
106,948 

83,287 
206,363 

2762 
6537 

37.17 

184,139 
434,373 

Delaware 

12,143 

21,384 

•  3899 

8887 

59,094. 

Maryland 

55,915 

5i>339 

101,395 

8043 

103,036 

319,728 

Virginia 

310,936  116,335 

215,046 

12,866 

292,627 

747,610 

Kentucky 

115,154    17,057 

28,922 

114 

12,430 

73>677 

N.  Carolina 

69,988 

77,506 

140,710 

4975 

100,572 

393,751 

S.  Carolina 

35'57^ 

37,722 

66,880 

i  So  i 

107,094 

249,  °73 

Georgia 

I3,ie3|  14,044 

25,739 

.    39^ 

29,264 

82,548 

807,094 

791,  850  1,  -41,263 

59,  *  5° 

3,29^,63  f, 

11 

c  o 

3     to 

& 

u 

g  S 

1    1 

J 

M 

Slaves. 

Total. 

"I  ^| 

i  T 

"S  £ 

•S 

0      . 

u    f    ? 

4J     ^     U 

SJ  15 

^   c 

|ul  '~o     3* 

tfcj2^sJ      £  G 

-t.o 

S.W.Terriy. 

627J 

10,277 

J5'3bl5 

301 

3-fJ7|     35><39I 

Sf.  ditto. 

—  •  — 



1 

—  _  J        

U.3 


Schedule 


APPENDIX. 


Schedule  of  the  whole  Number  of  Perfons  in  the  Territory  of 
the  United  States  of  America,  South  of  the  River  Ohio,  as 
taken  on  the  loft  Saturday  of  Jaly,  1791,  fy  the  Captains 
of  tJie  Militia  within  the  Limits  of  their  rejpeftive  Diftrifts. 


WASHINGTON 

DISTRICT. 

^  fWafiiington 

3L   \  Sullivan 
c  -^  Greene 
o   j  Hawkins 

U   LS.  of  F.  Broad 

MERO 

DISTRICT. 

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Note.—  There  are  fevcral  Captains  v»ho  have  not  as  yet  returned 
the  Schedules  of  the  numbers  of  their  Difrri&s,  namely  5  —  in  Greene 
County,  three—in  Davidfon,  one—  and  South  of  French-Board,  one 


September  igth,  1791. 

By  the  Governor, 

DANIEL  SMITH,  Secretary. 


W.  BLOUNT. 


Truly  dated  from  the  original  returns  depofited  in  the 
office  cf  the  Secretary  of  State. 

T.JEFFERSON. 
Qftober  24  7   1791. 


Ife 


'APPENDIX.  I7£ 

In  point  of  fize  the  towns  in  the  United  States 
may  be  ranked  in  this  order: — Philadelphia,  New- 
York,  Bofton,  Baltimore,  Charlefton,  &c.  In  point 
of  trade,  New-York,  Philadelphia,  Bofton,  Charlef 
ton,  Baltimore,  &c. 

From  the  preceding  tables  it  is  indubitable  that 
the  number  of  inhabitants  in  the  United  States  con- 
liderably  exceeded  four  millions  in  the  year  1791, 
exclufive  of  thofe  in  the  Northern  Territory,  and 
fome  other  diftri&s.  If  to  this  we  add  Dr.  Frank 
lin's  calculation,  "  That  the  number  of  the  inha 
bitants  of  America  is  double  every  twenty  years," 
this  number  muft  be  increafed  to  confiderably  above 
eight  millions  in  the  year  1811,  exclufive  of  emi 
grants  from  the  Old  World. 

The  Englifh  reader,  we  hope,  will  not  be  offend 
ed,  if,  in  this  place,  we  fay  a  word  or  two  on  the 
population  of  Great-Britain.  It  is  a  current  opi 
nion,  that  the  population  of  our  ifland  is  yearly  in- 
creafmg.  The  faft  is  quite  the  reverfe:  but  the  af- 
fertion  would  fignify  nothing,  if  there  were  not  in- 
conteftible  proofs  of  it.  The  proofs  are  thefe ; — •• 

Number  of  houfes  in  England  and 
Wales,  taken  from  the  return  of  the  fur- 
veyors  of  the  houfe  and  window  duties; 
wherein  they  are  ftated  diftinctly,  charg 
ed,  chargeable  and  excufed. 
Total  of  houles  in  1759  .  •  986,483 

in  1761  .         .  980,693 

: in  1777  •         •  9S2>734 

Total  of  houfes  according  to  the 
hearth-books  in  1690,  as  ftated  by  Dr. 
Davenant  (fee  his  works,  vol.  i.  page  38)  1,319,21$ 

In  Scotland  the  number  of  houfes  paying  the 
houfe  and  window  duties  was,  in  1777,  only 
36,206. 

If  the  diftridl:  returns  of  the  parifhes  are  examin 
ed,  it  will  be  manifeft,  that  a  calculation  of  five 

perfons 


'lytf  APPENDIX. 

perfons  to  every  houfe  is  a  large  allowance,  i 
all  which  this  refult  is  obvious — That  the  number 
of  inhabitants  in  England  and  Wales  is  confiderably 
fhort  of  five  millions!  that,  perhaps,  including  Scot 
land,  the  whole  ifland  of  Great-Britain  does  not  ex 
ceed  that  number. 

The  curiofity  of  the  prefent  moment  may  allow 
us  to  caft  our  eye  upon  France,  concerning  this  fub- 
je&.  The  intendants  of  the  provinces  of  France 
were  ordered,  in  the  years  1771  and  1772,  to  make 
a  return  of  the  number  of  inhabitants  in  their  re- 
fpeclive  diftri&s.  The  return  of  1772  ftates  the 
number  to  be  25,741,320.  See  Recherches  fur  la  po 
pulation  Je  la  France,  par  M.  Moheau.  . 

It  would  be  a  right  meafure  in  every  government 
to  caufe  a  furvey  to  be  made  annually  of  the  num 
ber  of  inhabitants.  It  is  done  at  Naples  by  order  of 
the  King,  and  is  publifhed  annually  in  the  Court 
Calenders.  America  will  probably  follow  the  ex 
ample. 


Obfervations  on  the  Population,  of  America.  Written  by 
Dr.  Benjamin  Franklin.  Printed  at  Philadelphia  in 
the  Year  1755. 

Tables  of  the  proportion  of  marriages  to  births, 
of  deaths  to  births,  of  marriages  to  the  numbers  of 
inhabitants,  &c.  formed  on  obfcrvations  made  on 
the  bills  of  mortality,  chriftem'ngs,  &c.  of  populous- 
cities,  will  not  fuit  countries;  nor  will  tables  formed 
on  observations  made  on  full  fettled  old  countries, 
as  Europe,  fuit  new  countries  as  America. 

For  people  increafe  in  proportion  to  the  number 
of  marriages,  and  that  is  greater  in  proportion  to 
the  eafe  and  convenience  of  fupporting  a  family. 
When  families  can  be  eafily  fupportesl,  more  per- 
ibns  marry,  and  earlier  in  life. 

In 


APPENDIX.  1/7 

In  cities,  where  all  trades,  occupations,  and  of 
fices  are  full,  many  delay  until  they  can  fee  how  to 
bear  the  charges  of  a  family ;  which  charges  are 
greater  in  cities,  as  luxury  is  more  common  ;  many 
live  fingle  during  life,  and  continue  fervants  to  fa 
milies,  journeymen  to  trades,  &c.  hence  cities  dt> 
not  by  natural  generation  fupply  therafelves  with 
inhabitants ;  the  deaths  are  more  than  the  births. 

In  countries  full  fettled  the  cafe  muft  be  nearly 
the  dune  ;  all  lands  being  occupied  and  improved  to 
the  height,  thofe  who  cannot  get  land  muft  labour* 
for  thofe  who  have  it;  when  labourers  are  plenty, 
their  wages  will  be  low;  by  low  wages  a  family  is 
fupported  with  difficulty  ;  this  difficulty  deters  many 
from  marriage,  who  therefore  long  continue  fervants 
and  fingle.  °Only  as  cities  take  fupplies  of  people 
from  the  country,  and  thereby  make  a  little  more 
room  in  the  country,  marriage  is  a  little  more  en 
couraged  there,  and  the  births  exceed  the  deaths. 

Great  part  of  Europe  is  full  fettled  with  hufband- 
men,  manufacturers,  &c.  and  therefore  cannot  nov/ 
.much  inereafe  in  people.  Land  being  plenty  in 
America,  and  fo  cheap  as  that  a  labouring  man, 
who  underftands  husbandry,  can  in  a  fhort  time  fave 
money  enough  to  purchafe  a  piece  of  new  land  fuf- 
ficient  for  a  plantation,  whereon  he  may  fubfift  a 
family,  fuch  are  not  afraid  to  marry ;  for  even  if 
they  look  far  enough  forward  to  coniider  how  their 
children,  when  grown,  are  to  be  provided  for,  they 
fee  that  more  land  is  to  be  had  at  rates  equally  eafy, 
all  circumftances  confidered. 

Hence  marriages  in  America  are  more  general, 
and  more  generally  early,  than  in  Europe.  And  if 
it  is  reckoned  there,  that  there  is  but  one  marriage 
per  annum  among  one  hundred  perfons,  perhaps  we 
may  here  reckon  two ;  and  if  in  Europe  they  have 
but  four  births  to  a  marriage  (many  of  their  marri 
ages  being  late)  we  may  here  reckon  eight  j  of  which, 

if 


£78  APPENDlk.- 

if  one  half  grow  up,  and  our"  marriages  arc 
reckoning  one  with  another,  at  twenty  years  of  age^  cur 
peoffe  muft  at  lea/I  be  doubled -every  twenty  years. 

But  notvvithftanding.  this  increafe,  fo  vaft  is  the 
territory  of  North-America,  that  it  will  require 
many  ages  to  fettle  it  fully;  and  until  it  is  fully  fet 
tled,  labour  will  never  be  cheap  here,  where  no  man 
continues  long  a  labourer  for  others,  but  gets  a  plan 
tation  of  his  own;  no  man  continues  long  a  jour 
neyman  to  a  trade,  but  goes  among  thefe  new  fet- 
tlers,  and  fets  up  for  himfelf,  &c.  Hence  labour  is 
no  cheaper  now  in  Pennfy-lvania  than  it  was  thirty 
years  ago,  though  fo  many  thoufond  labouring  peo 
ple  have  been  imported  from  Germany  and  Ireland. 

In  proportion  to  the  increafe  of  the  colonies,  a 
raft  demand  is  growing  for  Britifh  manufactures ;  a 
glorious  market  wholly  in  the  power  of  Britain,  in 
which  foreigners  cannot  interfere,  which  will  in 
creafe  in  a  fhort  time  even  beyond  her  power  o£ 
fupplying,  though  her  whole  trade  fnould  be  to  her. 
colonies. 

Of  iJ:e  Wefiern  Territory. . 

It  is  a  miflake  in  thofe  who  imagine  that  the  new 
£ate  of  Kentucky  comprifes  tire  Weftern  Territory 
of  North-America.  That  new  ftate  includes  but 
a  fmall  part  of  this  great  doiffain..  The  flate  ofr 
Kentucky  is  deferred  to  be  bounded  on  the  fouth 
by  North-Carolina,  on  the  north  by  Sandy  creek, 
on  the  weft  by  Cumberland  river,  making  about 
two  hundred  and  fifty  miles  iii  length,  and  two  hun 
dred  miles  in  breadth  ;  whereas  the  whole  Weftern 
Territory  is  infinitely  more  extenfive.  The  limits 
are  unknown;  but  that  part  of  it  which  was  fur- 
veyed  by  Captain  Hutchins,  geographer  to  the  Con- 
sj  he  has  given  us  a  fliort  account  of.  From  his 


APPENDIX.  17$ 

•account,  becaufe  it  is  known  to  be  authentic,  we 
have  extracted  the  following. 

The  part  he  furveyed  lies  between  the  33d  and 
45th  degrees  of  latitude,  and  the  ySth  and  94111  de 
grees  of  longitude,  containing  an  extent  of  terri 
tory,  which,  for  healthfulnefs,  fertility  of  foil,  and 
variety  of  productions,  is  not  perhaps  furpafled  by 
any  on  the  habitable  globe. 

"  The  lands  comprehended  between  the  river 
Ohio,  at  Port-Pitt,  and  the  Laurel  mountain,  and 
thence  continuing  the  fame  breadth  from  Fort-Pitt 
to  the  Great  Kanhawa  river,  may,  according  to  my 
own  obfervations,  and  thoie  of  the  late  Mr.  Gift, 
of  Virginia,  be  generally,  and  juftly  .described  as 
follows. 

"  The  vallies  adjoining  to  the  branches  or  fpring« 
•sf  the  middle  forks  of  Youghiogeny,  are  narrow 
towards  its  fource;  but  there  is  a  considerable  quan 
tity  of  good  farming  grounds  on  the  hills,  near  the 
largeft  branch  of  that  river.  The  lands  within  a 
frnall  diftance  of  the  Laurel  mountain  (through 
which  the  Youghiogeny  runs)  are  in  many  places 
broken  and  ftony,  but  rich  and  well  timbered ;  and 
in  fome  places,  and  particularly  on  Laurel  creek, 
they  are  rocky  and  mountainous.. 

"  From  the  Laurel  mountain  to  Monongahela, 
the  firft  feven  miles  are  good,  level  farming  grounds, 
with  fine  meadows;  the  timber,  white  oak,  chefnut, 
hickory,  &c.  The  fame  kind  of  land  continues 
foutherly  (twelve  miles)  to  the  upper  branches  or 
forks  of  this  river,  and  about  fifteen  miles  northerly 
to  the  place  where  the  Youghiogeny  falls  into  the 
Monongahete.  The  lands,  for  about  eighteen  miles 
in  the  fame  courfe  of  the  laft-mentioned  river,  on 
each  fide  of  it,  though  hilly,  are  rich  and  well  tim 
bered.  The  trees  are  walnut,  locuft,  chefnut,  pop 
lar,  and  fugar  or  fvveet  maple.  The  low  lands,  near 
the  river,  are  about  a  mile,  and  in  feveral  places 

tWQ 


8$0  APPENDIX. 

two  miles  wide.  For  a  confiderable  way  down  the 
river,  on  the  eaftern  fide  of  it,  the  intervals  are  ex 
tremely  rich,  and  about  a  mile.  wide.  The  upkmd 
foi  '--out  twelve  miles  cafrvvcrdly,  are  uncommonly 
fertile,  and  well  timber.e-'.l;  the  low  lands,  on  the 
weftern  fide,  are  narrow;  but  the  uplands,  on  the 
eafh  rn  fide  of  the  river,  both  up  and  down,  are  ex 
cellent,  and  covered  with  iu gar  trees,  &c. 

'•  S  «.  h  parts  of  the  co-.'.ntry  which  He  on  fome  of 
tb?  branches  of  the  Monongahela,  and  acrofs"  the 
lita-ii:  of  itveral  rivers  that  run  into  the  Ohio, 
the ugh  in  general  hilly,  are  exceedingly  fruitful  and 
well  watered.  The  timber  is  walnut,  chefnut,  ufti, 
oak,  fugar  trees,  &c.  and  the  interval  or  meadow 
lands  are  from  two  hundred  and  fifty  yards  to  a 
quarter  of  a  mile  wide. 

"  The  lands  lying  nearly  in  a  north-wefterly  di 
rection  from  the  Great  Kanhawa  river  to  the  Ohio, 
and  thence  north-eafterly,  and  alfo  upon  Le  Tort's 
creek,  Little  Kanhawa  river,  Buffaloe,  Fifhing, 
Weeling,  and  the  two  upper,  and  two  lower,  and 
feveral  other  very  confiderable  creeks,  (or  what,  ia 
Europe,  would  be  called  large  rivers)  and  thence 
call,  and  fouth-eaft  to  the  river  Monongahela,  are, 
in  point  of  quality,  as  follows. 

"  The  borders  or  meadow  lands  are  a  mile,  and 
in  fome  places  near  two  miles  wide;  and  the  uplands 
are  in  common  of  a  mofl  fertile  foil,  capable  of 
abundantly  producing  wheat,  hemp,  flax,  &c. 

"  The  lands  which  lie  upon  the  Ohio,  at  the 
mouths  of,  and  between  the  above  creeks,  alfo  con- 
fift  of  rich  intervals  and  very  fine  farming  grounds. 
The  whole  country  abounds  in  bears,  elks,  buffaloe, 
xleer,  turkies,  &c.  An  unqueftionable  proof  of  the 
extraordinary  goodnefs  of  its  foil !  Indiana  lies 
within  the  territory  here  defcribed.  It  contains 
about  three  millions  and  an  half  of  acres,  and  was 
granted  to  Samuel  Wharton,  William  Trent,  and 

George 


APPENDIX.  l8l 

George  Morgan,  Efquires,  and  a  few  other  perfons, 
in  the  year  1768. 

"  Fort-Pitt  ftands  at  the  confluence  of  the  Alleg 
heny  and  Monongahela  rivers;  in  latitude  40°  31' 
44/',  and  about  five  degrees  weftward  of  Philadel 
phia.  In  the  year  1760,  a  fmall  town,  called  Pittf- 
burgh,  was  built  near  Fort-Pitt,  and  about  two 
hundred  families  refided  in  it;  but  upon  the  Indian 
war  breaking  out  (in  the  month  of  May,  1763) 
they  abandoned  their  houfes,  and  retired  into  the 
fort. 

"  In  the  year  1765  the  prefent  town  of  Pittfburgh 
was  laid  out.  It  is  built  on  the  eaftern  bank  of  the 
river  Monongahela,  about  two  hundred  yards  from 
Fort- Pitt. 

"  The  junction  of  the  Allegheny  and  Mononga 
hela  rivers  forms  the  river  Ohio,  and  this  difcharges 
itfelf  into  the  Mifiiffippi,'(in  latitude  36°  43")  about 
one  thoufand  one  hundred  and  eighty-eight  com 
puted  miles  from  Fort-Pitt.  The  Ohio,  in  its  paf- 
fage  to  the  Mifliffippi,  glides  through  a  pleafant, 
fruitful,  and  healthy  country,  and  carries  a  great 
uniformity  of  breadth,  from  four  hundred  to  fix 
hundred  yards,  except  at  its  confluence  with  the 
M'lliffippi,  and  for  one  hundred  miles  above  it, 
where  it  is  one  thoufand  yards  wide.  The  Ohio, 
for  the  greater  part  of  the  way  to  the  Miffiffippi, 
has  many  meanders,  or  windings,  and  rifiug  grounds 
i:pon  both  fides  of  it. 

"  The  reaches  in  the  Ohio  are  in  fome  parts  from 
two  to  four  miles  in  length,  and  one  of  them,  above 
the  Mufkingum  river,  called  the  Long  Reach,  is 
fixteen  miles  and  an  half  long.  The  Ohio,  about 
100  miles  above,  or  northerly  of  the  Rapids,  (for 
merly  called  the  Falls)  is  in  many  places  700  yards 
wide;  and  as  it  approaches  them,  the  high  grounds 
on  its  borders  gradually  diminim,  and  the  country 
becomes  more  level.  Seme  of  the  banks,  or  heights 
R  of 


i  APPENDIX. 

of  this  river,  are  at  times  overflowed  by  great  frefhes-; 
yet  there  is  fcarcc  a  place  between  Fort-Pitt  and  the 
Rapids,  (a  diftance  of  705  computed  miles)  where 
a  good  road  may  not  be  made  ;  and  horfes  employ 
ed  in  drawing  up  large  barges  (as  is  done  on  the  mar 
gin  of  the  river  Thames  in  England,  and  the  Seine 
in  France)  againft  a  ftream  remarkably  gentle,  ex 
cept  in  high  frefhes.  The  heights  of  the  banks  of 
the  Ohio  admit  them  every  where  to  be  fettled,  as 
they  are  not  liable  to  crumble  away. 

*'  To  thefe  remarks  it  may  be  proper  to  ad<i  the 
following  observations  of  the  ingenious  Mr.  Lewis 
Evans.  He  fays,  that  *  the  Ohio  river,  as  the  win 
ter  fnows  are  thawed  by  the  warmth  or  rains  in  the 
ipring,  rifes  in  vaft  floods,  in  fome  places  exceeding 
twenty  feet  in  height,  but  fcarce  any  where  over 
flowing  its  high  and  upright  banks.  Thefe  floods,' 
Mr.  Evans  adds,  *  continue  of  fome  height  for  at 
leait  a  month  or  two,  according  to  the  late  of  early 
breaking  up  of  the  winter.  VefTels  from  100  to  200 
tons  burthen,  by  taking  the  advantage  of  thefe  floods, 
may  go  from  Pittfburgh  to  the  fea  with  fafety,  as 
then  the  falls,  rifts,  andfhoals,  are  covered  to  an  e- 
quality  with  the  reft  of  the  rivers;' — and  though  the 
diftance  is  upwards  of  2000  miles  from  Fort-Pitt  to 
the  fea,  yet  as  there  are  no  obftruclions  to  prevent 
veflels  from  proceeding  both  day  and  night,  I  am 
perfuaded  that  this"  extraordinary  inland  voyage  may 
be  performed,  during  the  feafon  of  the  floods,  by- 
rowing,  in  fixteen  or  feventeen  days. 

"  The  navigation  of  the  Ohio  in  a  dry  feafon,  is 
rather  troublefome  from  Fort-Pitt  to  the  Mingo 
town  (about  75  miles)  but  from  thence  to  the  Mif- 
iiflippi  there  is  always  a  fufficient  depth  of  water  for 
barges,  carry  ing  from  100  to  200  tons  burthen,  built 
in  the  manner  as  thofe  are  which  are  ufed  on  the  ri 
ver  Thames,  between  London  and  Oxford; — to  wit, 
from  100  to  120  feet  in  the  keel,  fixteen  to  eighteen 

feet 


APPENDIX.  183 

feet  in  breadth,  and  four  feet  in  depth,  and  when 
loaded,  drawing  about  three  feet  water. 

"  The  Rapids,  in  a  dry  feafon,  are  difficult  to  de- 
fcend  with  loaded  boats  or  barges. 

[But  inftead  of  the  carrying  place  now  uied,  it  is 
intended  to  fubftitute  a  canal  on  the  contrary  fide  of 
the  river.] 

"  Mo  ft  of  the  hills  on  both  fides  of  the  Ohio  are 
filled  with  excellent  coal,  and  a  coal  mine  was  in  the 
year  1760,  opened  oppofite  to  Fort-Pitt,  on  the  river 
Monongabela,  for  the  ufe  of  that  garrifon.  Salt 
i'prings,  as  well  as  iron  ore,  and  rich  lead  mines,  are 
found  bordering  upon  the  river  Ohio.  One  of  the 
latter  is  opened  on  a  branch  of  the  Scioto  river,  and 
there  the  Indian  natives  fupply  themfelves  with  a 
confiderable  part  of  the  lead  which  they  ufe  in  their. 
wars  and  hunting. 

"  About  584  miles  below  Fort-Pitt,  and  on  the 
eaftern  fieie  of  the  Ohio  river,  about  three  miles  from 
it,  at  the  head  of  a  fmall  creek  or  run,  where  are  fe- 
veral  large  and  miry  fait  fprings,  are  found  numbers 
of  large  bones,  teeth,  and  tui'ks,  commonly  fuppofeci 
to  be  thofe  of  elephants : — but  the  celebrated  Doctor 
Hunter  of  London,  in  his  ingenious  and  curious 
obfervations  on  thefe  bone:;,  &c.  has  fuppofed  them, 
to  belong  to  fome  carnivorous  animal,  larger  than 
an  ordinary  elephant. 

"  Oil  the  north  weftern  fide  of  Ohio,  about  eleven 
miles  below  t  he  Cherokee-river,  on  a  high  bank,  are 
the  remains  of  Fort-MafTac,  built  by  the  French, 
and  intended  as  a  check  to  the  foil  them  Indians.  It 
was  deftroyed  by  them  in  the  year  1763.  This  is  4 
high,  healthy,  and  delightful  (ituation.  A  great  va 
riety  of  game,  buffaloe,  bear,  deer,  &c.  as  well  as 
clucks,  geefe,  fwans,  turkies,  pheafants,  patridges, 
&c.  abounds  in  every  part  of  this  country. 

"  The  Ohio,  and  the  rivers  emptying  into  it,  af 
ford  green  and   other  turtle,    and  fifh  of  various 
H  2  forts ; 


APPENDIX. 

forts;  particularly  carp,  fturgeon,  perch,  and  cats^ 
the  two  latter  of  an  uncommon  fize,  viz.  perch  froci 
eight  to  twelve  pounds  weight,  and  cats  from  fifty 
lo  one  hundred  pounds  weight. 

"  The  lands  upon  the  Ohio,  and  its  branches,  are 
differently  timbered  according  to  their  quality  and 
fituation.  The  high  and  dry  lands  are  covered  with 
red,  white  and  black  oak,  hickory,  walnut,  red 
and  white  mulberry  and  afh  trees,  grape-vines,  &c. 
the  low  and  meadow  lands  are  filled  with  fycamore, 
poplar,  red  and  white  mulberry,  cherry,  beach, 
elm,  afpen,  maple,  or  fugar  trees,  grape-vines, 
&c.  and  below,  or  fouthvvardly  of  the  Rapids,  are 
feveral  large  cedar  and  cyprefs  fvvamps,  where  the 
cedar  and  cyprefs  trees  grow  to  a  remarkable  fize, 
and  where  alfo  is  a  great  abundance  of  canes,  fuch 
?.s  grow  in  South-Carolina.  The  country  on  both 
fides  of  the  Ohio,  extending  fouth-eafterly,  andfouth- 
wefterly  from  Fort-Pitt  to  the  Miffiilippi,  axid  water 
ed  by  the  Ohio  river,  and  its  branches,  contains  at 
-leait  a  million  of  fquare  miles,  and  it  may,  with 
truth,  be  affirmed,  that  no  part  of  the  globe  is  bleffed 
with  a  more  healthful  air,  or  climate;  watered  with 
more  navigable  rivers  and  branches  communicating 
•with  the  Atlantic  Ocean,  by  the  rivers  Potovvmack, 
James,  Rnppahannock,  Mifiiffippi,  and  St.  Law 
rence,  or  capable  of  producing,  with  iefs  labour  and 
cxpence,  wheat,  Indian  corn,  buck-wheat,  rye,  oats, 
barley,  flax,  hemp,  tobacco,  rice,  fiik,  pot-am,  £c. 
than  the  country  under  consideration.  And  although 
there  are  confiderable  quantities  of  high  lands  for 
about  250  miles  (on  both  fides  of  the  river  Ohio) 
Southwardly  from  Fort-  Pitt,  yet  even  the  fummits 
of  moil  of  the  hills  are  covered  with  a  deep  rich  foil, 
fit  for  the  culture  of  flax  and  hemp;  and  it  may  alfo 
be  added,  that  no  foil  can  poflibly  yield  larger  crops 
of  red  and  white  clover,  and  other  ufefuigrafs,  than 
thU  does. 


APPENDIX.  185 

"  On  the  north-weft  and  fouth-eaft  fides  of  the 
Ohio,  below  the  great  Kanhawa  river,  at  a  little  dif- 
tr.'jcefrom  it,  are  extenfive  natural  meadows,  cr  fa- 
vannahs.  Thefe  meadows  are  from  20  to  50  miles 
in  circuit.  They  have  many  beautiful  groves  of 
trees  interfperfed,  as  if  by  art,  in  them,  and  which 
ferve  as  a  flicker  for  the  innumerable  herds  of  buffe- 
loe,  deer,  &c.  with  which  they  abound. 

44  I  am  obliged  to  a  worthy  friend  and  country 
man  for  the  following  juft  and  judicious  obferva- 
tions.  They  were  addrefled  to  the  Earl  of  Hillfbo- 
rough,  in  the  year  1770,  when  fecretary  of  ftate  for 
the  North- American  department;  and  were  written 
by  Mr.  Samuel  Wha-rton  cf  Philadelphia,  who  at 
that  time  refided  in  London,  having  fome  bufinefs 
there  with  Mr.  Strahan,  Mr.  Almon,  £c. 

"  No  part  of  North-America,"  he  fays,  "  will  re 
quire  lefs  encouragement  for  the  production  of  na 
val  ftores,  and  raw  materials  for  manufactories  in 
Europe,  and  for  fiipplying  the  Weft-India  iflands 
with  lumber,  provisions,  &c.  than  the  country  of  the 
Ohio;— and  for  the  following  reafons: — 

"  Firft,  The  lands  are  excellent,  the  climate  tem 
perate,  the  native  grapes,  (ilk- worms,  and  mulberry 
trees,  abound  everywhere:-  hemp,  hops,  and  rye, 
grow  fpontaneoufly  in  the  vallies  and  low  lands;  lead 
and  iron  ore  are  plenty  in  the  hills  j  fait  fprings  are 
innumerable;  and  no  foil  is  better  adapted  to  the  cul 
ture  of  tobacco,  flax,  and  cotton,  than  that  of  the 
Ohio. 

"  Second,  The  country  is  well  watered  by  feveral 
navigable  rivers,  communicating  .with  each  other;  by 
which,  and  a  fhort  land  carriage,  the  produce  of  the 
lands  of  the  Ohio  can,  even  now  (in  the  year  1772)  be 
fent  cheaper  to  the  fea-port  town  of  Alexandria,  on  the 
river  Potowmack  in  Virginia  (where  General  Brad- 
dock's  tranfports  landed  his  troops,)  than  any  kind 
of  merchandize  is  fent  from  Northampton  to  London. 
R  3  «  Third, 


APPENDIX. 

••  Third,  The  river  Ohio  is,  at  all  feafons  of  the- 
year,  navigable  with  large  boats,  like  the  weft  coun 
try  barges,  rowed  only  by  four  or  five  men;  and  from 
the  month  of  February  to  April  large  Chips  may  be 
built  on  the  Ohio,  and' fent  to  fea  laden  with  hemp, 
iron,  flax,  iilk,  tobacco,  cotton,  pot-afh,  &c. 

"  Fourth,  Flour,  corn,  beef,  (hip-plank,  and  other 
ufeful  articles,  can  be  fent  down  the  dream  of  the 
Ohio  to  Weft-Florida,  and  from  thence  to  the  Weft- 
India  iflands,  much  cheaper,  and  in  better  order, 
than  from  New-York  or  Philadelphia  to  thefe  iflands. 

*'  Fifth,  FIcmp,  tobacco,  iron,  and  fuch  bulky  ar 
ticles,  may  alfo  be  fent  down  the  ftream  of  the  Ohio 
to  the  fea,  and  at  leaft  50  per  cent,  cheaper  than 
thefe  articles  were  ever  carried  by  land  carriage,  of 
only  60  miles,  in  Pennfylvania:  where  waggonageis 
cheaper  than  in  any  other  part  of  North- America. 

"  Sixth,  The  expence  of  tranfporting  European 
manufactories  from  the  fea  to  the  Ohio,  will  not  be 
fo  much  as  is  now  paid,  and  muft  ever  be  paid,  to  a 
great  part  of  the  counties  of  Pennfylvania,  Virginia, 
and  Maryland.  Whenever  the  farmers  or  merchants 
of  Ohio  fhall  properly  underftand  the  bufmefs  of 
tranfportation,  they  will  build  fchooners,  (loops,  &c. 
CM  the  Ohio,  fuitable  for  the  Weft-India,  or  Euro 
pean  markets;  or,  by  having  black-walnut,  cherry- 
tree,  oak,  &c.  properly  fawed  for  foreign  markets, 
and  formed  into  rafts,  in  the  manner  that  is  now 
done  by  the  fettlers  near  the  upper  parts  of  Dela 
ware  river  in  Pennfylvania,  and  thereon  ftow  their 
hemp,  iron,  tobacco,  &c.  and  proceed  with  them  to 
New -Orleans. 

*4  It  may  nof,  perhaps,  be  amifs,  to  obferve,  that 
large  quantities  of  flour  are  made  in  the  diftant  (wet- 
tern)  counties  of  Pennfylvania,  and  fent  by  an  ex- 
penfive  land  carriage  to  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  and 
from  thence  fhipped  to  South-Carolina  and  to  Eaft 
and  Welt  Florida,  there  being  little  or  no  wheat 

raifed 


APPENDIX.  187 

railed  in  thefe  provinces.  The  river  Ohio  feems 
kindly  defined  by  nature  as  the  channel  through 
which  the  two  Floridas  may  be  fupplied  with  flour, 
not  only  for  their  own  confumption,  but  alfo  for  the 
carrying  on  an  extenlive  commerce  with  Jamaica 
and  the  Spanifh  fettlements  in  the  Bay  of  Mexico. 
Miliftones  in  abundance  are  to  be  obtained  in  the 
hills  near  the  Ohio,  and  the  country  is  every  where 
well  watered  with  large  and  conftant  fprings  and 
ilreams,  for  grill  and  other  mills. 

"  The  paflage  from  Philadelphia  to  Penfacoia 
is  feldom  made  in  lefs  than  a  month,  and  fixty  ftiil- 
lings  flerling  per  ton  freight  (confiding  of  lixteen  bar 
rels)  is  ufually  paid  for  flour,  &c.  thither.  Boats 
carrying  800  or  1000  barrels  of  flour,  may  go  in 
about  the  fame  time  fromtheOhio  (even  from  Pittf- 
burgh)  as  from  Philadelphia  to  Penfacoia;  and  for 
half  the  above  freight  the  Ohio  merchants  would  be 
able  to  deliver  flour,  &c.  there  in  much  better  order 
than  from  Philadelphia,  and  without  incurring  the 
damage  and  delay  of  the  fea,  and  charges  of  infur- 
ance,  &c.  as  from  thence  to  Penfacoia. 

"  This  is  not  mere  fpeculation;  for  it  is  a  facl", 
that  about  the  year  1746,  there  was  a  great  fcarcity 
of  provifions  at  New-Orleans,  and  the  French  fet 
tlements,  at  the  Illinois,  fmall  as  they  then  were,  fent 
thither  in  one  winter,  upwards  of  eight  hundred  thou.- 
fand  weight  of  flour." 

"  I  (hall  now  proceed  to  giv-e  a  brief  account  of 
the  feveral  rivers  and  creeks  which  fall  into  the  river 
Ohio. 

"  Canawagy,  when  raifed  by  frefhes,  is  pafTable 
with  fmall  batteaux,  to  a  little  lake  at  its  head; — from 
thence  there  is  a  portage  of  twenty  miles  to  lake 
Erie,  at  the  mouth  of  Jadaghque.  The  portage  is 
ieldom  ufed,  becaufe Canawagy  hasfcarcely  any  wa 
ter  in  it  in- a  dry  feafon- 

"  Bughalboirs 


rS'H  Ai'pttfoix, 

"  Bughaloons  is  not  navigable,  but  is  remarkable 
for  cxtenfive  meadows  bordering  upon  it. 

"  French  Creek  affords  the  nearelt  pafiage  to  lake 
Erie.  It  is  navigable  with  fmall  boats  to  Le  Beuf, 
by  a  very  crooked  channel;  the  portage  thence  to 
Prefquile,  from  an  adjoining  peninfula,  is  15  miles. 
This  is  the  ufual  route  from  Quebec  to  Ohio. 

"  Licking  and  Lacomic  Creeks  do  not  afford  any 
navigation;  but  there  is  plenty  of  coals  and  Hones 
for  building  in  the  hills  which  adjoin  them. 

"  Toby's  Creek  is  deep  enough  for  batteaux  for  a 
confiderable  way  up,  thence  by  a  fhort  portage  to  the 
weft  branch  of  Sufquehannah,  a  good  communica 
tion  is  carried  on  between  Ohio  and  the  eaftern  parts 
of  Pennfyivania. 

"  Moghulbughkitum  is  payable  alfo  by  flat  bot 
tom  boats  in  the  fame  manner  as  Toby's  Creek  is  to 
Sufquehannah,  and  from  thence  to  all  the  fettlements 
in  Northumberland  county,  &c.  in  Pennfyivania. 

"  Kifhkeminetas  is  navigable  in  like  manner  as  the 
preceding  creeks,  for  between  40  and  cjo  miles,  and 
good  portages  are  found  between  Kifhkeminetas,  Ju- 
niatta,  and  Potowmack  rivers. — Coal  and  fait  ars 
difcovered  in  the  neighbourhood  of  thefe  rivers. 

"  Monongahela  is  a  large  river,  and  at  its  junc 
tion  with  the  Allegheny  river,  (lands  Fort-Pitt.  It 
is  deep,  and  gentle,  and  navigable  with  batteaux  and 
barges,  beyond  Red-Stone  creek,  and  ftill  farther  with 
lighter  craft.  At  fixteen  miles  from  its  mouth  is 
Youghiogeny;  this  river  is  navigable  with  batteaux 
or  barges,  to  the  foot  of  Laurel-hill. 

"  Beaver  Creek  has  water  fufficient  for  flat  bot 
tom  boats.  At  Kifhkufkes,  (about  16  miles  up)  are 
two  branches  of  this  creek,  which  fpread  oppofitc 
ways;  one  interlocks  with  French  Creek  and  Che- 
xage, — the  other  with  Mufkingum  and  Cayahoga; 
oa  this  branch,  about  thirty-five  miles  above  the 


APPENDIX.  189 

forks,  are  many  falt-fprings. — Cayahoga  is  prafti- 
cable  with  canoes  about  twentv  miles  farther. 

"  Mufldngum  is  a  fine  gentle  river,  confined  by 
high  banks,  which  prevent  its  floods  from  overflow 
ing  the  furrounding  land.  It  is  250  yards  wide  at 
its  confluence  with  the  Ohio,  and  navigable,  with 
out  any  obftructions,  by  large  batteaux  or  barges, 
to  the  Three  Legs,  and  by  {"mail  ones  to  a  little  Iak2 
at  its  head. 

"  From  thence  to  Cayahoga  (the  creek  that  leads 
to  lake  Erie)  the  Mufkingum  is  muddy,  and  not  very 
fwift,  but  no  where  obllrucled  with  falls' or  rifts.. 
Here  are  fine  uplands,  extenfive  meadows,  oak  and 
mulberry  trees  fit  for  fhip- building,  and  walnut,  chef- 
nut,  and  poplar  trees,  fui  table  for  domeftic  fervices. 
— Cayahoga  furnifhes  the  befl  portage  between  Ohio 
and  lake  Erie;  at  its  mouth  it  is  wide  and  deep  enough 
to  receive  large  (loops  from  the  lake.  It  will  hereafter 
be  a  place  of  great  importance. 

"  Muikingum,  in  all  its  wide-extended  branches, 
is  furrounded  by  moft  excellent  land,,  and  abounds 
in  fprings,  and  conveniences  particularly  adapted 
to  fettlements  remote  from  fea  navigations; — fuch  a3 
fait  fprings,  coal,  clay,  and  free  ftone.  In  1784  a 
coal  mine  oppofite  to  Lamenihicola  mouth  took  fire, 
and  continued  burning  about  twelve  months,  but 
great  quantities  of  coal  ftill  remain  in  it.  Near  the 
fame  place  are  excellent  whetftones,  and  about  eight 
miles  higher  np  the  river,  is  plenty  of  white  and  blue 
clay  for  glafs  works  and  pottery. 

4i  Hockhocking  is  navigable  with  large  flat  bot 
tom  boats  between  feventy  and  eighty  miles;  it  has 
fine  meadows  with  high  banks,  which  feldom  over 
flow,  and  rich  uplands  on  its  borders.  Coal  and 
quarries  of  free-ftone  are  found  about  15  miles- up 
this  creek. 

"  Big  Kanhawa  falls  into  the  Ohio  upon  its  (buth- 
caftern  fide,  and  is  fo  confiderable  a  branch  of  this 

nver} 


J?9O  APPENDIX. 

rivei',  that  it  may  be  miitaken  for  the  Ohio  itfelf  by 
perfons  afcending  it.  It  is  ilow  for  ten  miles,  to  lit 
tle  broken  hills,— the  low  land  is  very  rich,  and  of 
about  the  fame  breadth,  (from  the  pipe  hills  to  the 
falls)  as  upon  the  Ohio.  After  going  ten  miles  up 
Kanhawa,  the  land  is  hilly,  and  the  water  a  litti-s 
rapid  for  50  or  60  miles  further  to  the  falls,  yet  bat- 
tea  ux  or  barges  may  bz  eaiily  rowed  thither.  Thefo 
falls  were  formerly  thought  'unpayable;  but  late  dif- 
coveries  have  proved,  that  a  waggon  road  may  be 
made  through  the  mountain,  which  occafions  the 
falls,  and  that  by  a  portage  of  a  few  miles  only,  a 
communication  may  be  had  between  the  waters  of- 
Great  Kanhawa  and  Ohio,  and  thofe  of  James  river 
in  Virginia. 

t;  Tottery  lies  upon  the  fouth-eaftern  fide  of  the 
Ohio,  and  is  navigable  with  batteaux  to  the  Ouafioto 
mountains.  It  is  a  long  river,  has  few  branches,  and 
interlocks  with  Red  Creek,  or  Glinche's  River  (a 
branch  of  the  Cuttawa;).  and  has  below  the  moun 
tains,  efpecially  for  15  miles  from  its  mouth,  very 
good  land.  Here  is  a  perceptible  difference  of  cli 
mate  between  the  upper  and  this  part  of  Ohio.  Here 
the  large  reed,  or  Carolina  cane,  grows  in  plenty, 
even  upon  the  upland,  and  the  winter  is  fo  moderate 
as  not  to  deftroy  it.  The  fame  moderation  of  cli 
mate  continues  down  Ohio,  efpecially  on  the  ibuth- 
eafr  fide,  to  the  rapidsj  and  thence  on  both  fides  of 
that  river  to  the  Mifiiffippi. 

"  Great  Salt  Lick  Creek  is  remarkable  for  fine 
land,  plenty  of  buffaloes,  fait  fprings,  white  clay, 
and  lime- Hone.  Small  boats  mav  go  to  the  croffing 
of  the  war-path  without  -\ny  impediment.  The  fait 
fprihgs  render  the  waters  unfit  for  drinking,  but  the  ' 
plenty  of  frcfh  f prints  in  their  vicinity  makes  fuf- 
ficient  amends  for  this  inconvenience. 

"  Kentucky  is  larger  than   the  preceding  creek; 
&us  fm:rotmded  with  high  clay  banks,   fertile  land?,. 

and- 


APPENDIX.  191 

and  large  fait  fprings.  Its  navigation  is  interrupted 
by  fhoals,  but  payable  with  fmall  boats  to  the  gap, 
where  the  war-path  goes  through  the  Ouafioto 
mountains. 

"  Scioto  is  a  large  gentle  river,  bordered  with 
rich  flats,  or  meadows.  It  overflows  in  the  fpring, 
and  then  fpreads  about  half  a  mile,  though  when 
•confined  within  its  banks,  it  is  fcarce  a  furlong  wide, 

"  If  it  floods  early,  it  feldom  retires  within  its 
banks  in  lefs  than  a  month,  and  is  not  fordable  fre 
quently  in  lefs  than  two  months. 

"  The  Scioto,  befides  having  a  great  extent  of 
rnofl  excellent  land  on  both  fides  of  the  river,  is 
furniflied  with  fair,  on  an  eaftern  branch,  and  red 
bole  on  Necnnfia  Skeintat.  The  dream  of  Scioto  is 
.gentle  and  payable,  with  large  batteaux  or  barges, 
for  a  confiderable  way,  and  with  fmaller  boats  near 
.200  miles,  to  a  portage  of  only  four  miles  to  San- 
duflcy. 

"  Sandufky  is  a  confiderable  river  abounding  in 
level  land;  its  ftrcam  gentle  all  the  way  to  the  mouth, 
where  it  is  large  enough  to  receive  floops.  The 
northern  Indians  crofs  Lake  Erie  here  from  ifland  to 
ifland,  land  at  Sanduflcy,  and  go  by  a  direct  path  to 
the  Lower  Shawanoe  town,  and  thence  to  the  gap  of 
the  Ouafioto  mountain,  in  their  way  to  the  Cutta- 
wa  country, 

•"  Little  Mineami  river  is  too  fmall  to  navigate 
•with  batteau*.  It  has  much  fine  land  and  fevcral 
•fait  fprings;  its  high  banks  and  gentle  current  pre 
vent  its  much  overflowing  the  fur-rounding  lands 
in  frefhes. 

"  Great  Mineami,  AfFereniet  or  Rocky  river,  has 
a  very  flony  channel;  a  fwift  ftream,  but  no  fails. 
It  has  feveral  large  branches,  pafiable  with  boats  a 
great  way;  one  extending  weft  ward  towards  the 
Quiaghtena  river,  another  towards  a  branch  of  Mi 
neami  river  (which  runs  into  Lake  Erie,)  to  which 

there 


193,  APPENDIX. 

there  is  a  portage,  and  a  third  has  a  portage  to  the 
weft  branch  of  Sandufky,  befides  Mad  Creek,  where 
the  French  formerly  eftabliihed  themfelves.  Rifing 
ground,  here  and  there  a  little  flony,  begins  in  the 
northern  part  of  the  peninfula,  between  the  lakes 
Erie,  Huron,  and  Michigan,  and  extends  acrofs  little 
Mineami  river  below  the  Forks,  and  fouthwardly 
along  the  Rocky  river,  to  Ohio. 

"  BufTaloe  river  falls  into  the  Ohio  on  the  eaftern 
fide  of  it,  at  the  diftance  of  925  computed  miles  from 
Fort-Pitt.  It  is  a  very  confiderable  branch  of  the 
Ohio;  is  200  yards  wide,  navigable  upwards  of  i^o 
miles  for  batteaux  or  barges,  of  30  feet  long,  five  feet 
broad,  and  three  feet  deep,  carrying  about  feven  tons, 
.and  can  be  navigated  much  farther  with  large  ca 
noes.  The  ftream  is  moderate.  The  lands  on  both 
fides  of  the  river  are  of  a  moft  luxuriant  quality,  for 
the  production  of  hemp,  flax,  wheat,  tobacco,  &c. 
They  are  covered  with  a  great  variety  of  lofty  and 
ufeful  timber ;  as  oak,  hickory,  mulberry,  elm,  £c. 
Several  perfons  who  have  afcended  this  river  fay, 
that  fait  fprings,  coal,  lime,  and  free-ftone,  £c.  are 
to  be  found  in  a  variety  of  places. 

"  The  Wabafti  is  a  beautiful  river,  with  high  and 
upright  banks,  lefs  fubjecl  to  overflow  than  any 
other  river,  (the  Ohio  excepted)  in  this  part  of  Ame 
rica.  It  dii'charges  itfelf  into  the  Ohio,  one  thou- 
fand  and  twenty-two  miles  below  Fort-Pitt,  in  lati 
tude  37°  41'. — At  its  mouth  it  is  270  yards  wide; 
is  navigable  to  Ouiatanon  (412  miles)  in  the  fpring, 
fummer,  and  autumn,  with  batteaux  or  barges, 
drawing  r.bout  three  feet  water.  From  thence,  on 
account  of  a  roeky  bottom,  and  fhoal  water,  large 
canoes  are  chiefly  employed,  except  when  the  river 
is  fwelled  with  rains,  at  which  time  it  may  be  af 
cended  with  boats,  fuch  as  I  have  jufl  defcribed, 
(197  miles  further)  to  the  Miaaii  carrying  place, 
which  is  nine  miles  from  the  Miami  village,  and 

this 


APPENDIX.  193 

tins  is  fituated  on  a  river  of  the  fame  name,  that 
runs  into  the  fouth-fouth-wefl  part  of  Lake  Erie. — 
The  ftrearn  of  the  Wabafh  is  generally  gentle  to 
Fort-Ouiatanon,  and  no  where  obitrucled  with  falls, 
but  is  by  ieveral  rapids,  both  above  and  below  that 
fort,  fome  of  which  are  pretty  confiderable.  There 
isalfo  a  part  of  the  river,  for  about  three  miles,  and 
30  miles  from  the  carrying  place,  where  the  channel 
is  fo  narrow,  that  it  is  neceflary  to  make  ufe  of  fet- 
ting  poles  inflead  of  oars.  The  land  on  this  river 
is  remarkably  fertile,  and  feveral  parts  of  it  are  na 
tural  meadows,  of  great  extent,  covered  with  fine 
long  grafs.  The  timber  is  large  and  high,  and  in 
fuch  variety,  that  alrnofr  all  the  different  kinds  grow 
ing  upon  the  Ohio  and  its  branches  (but  with  a 
greater  proportion  of  black  and  white  mulberry- 
trees)  may  be  found  here. — A  filver  mine  has  been 
difcovered  about  28  miles  above  Ouiatanon,  on  the 
northern  fide  of  the  Wabafh,  and  probably  others 
may  be  found  hereafter.  The  Wabafli  abounds 
with  fait  fprings,  and  any  quantity  of  fait  may  be 
made  from  them,  in  the  manner  now  done  at  the 
Saline  in  the  Illinois  country: — the  hills  are  reple- 
nifhed  with  the  belt  coal,  and  there  is  plenty  of  lime 
and  free  ftune,  blue,  yellow  and  white  clay,  for 
glafs  works  and  pottery.  Two  French  fettlements 
are  eftablifhed  on  the  Wabafh,  called  Pofl  Vincient 
and  Ouiatanon;  the  firft  is  150  miles,  and  the  other 
262  miles  from  its  mouth.  The  former  is  on  the 
eaftern  fide  of  the  river,  and  confifts  of  60  lettlers 
and  their  families.  They  raife  Indian  corn,  wheat, 
.and  tobacco  of  an  extraordinary  good  quality,  fu- 
perior,  it  is  faid,  .to  that  produced  in  Virginia. 
They  have  a  fine  breed  of  horfes  (brought  originally 
by  the  Indians  from  the  Spanifh  fettlements  on  the 
•weftern  fide  of  the  river  MifEffippi),  and  laroe  (locks 
.of  fwine  and  black  cattle.  The  fetrlers  deal  with 
the  natives  for  furs  and  deer  (kins,  to, the  amount  of 
S  about 


j§4  APPENDIX. 

about  $oool.  annually.  Hemp  of  a  good  texture 
grows  fpontaneoufly  in  the  low  lands  of  the  Wabalb, 
as  do  grapes  in  the  greateft  abundance,  having  a 
black,  thin  fkin,  and  of  which  the  inhabitants  in  the 
autumn  make  a  futficient  quantity  (for  their  own 
confumption)  of  well-tatted  red-wine.  Hops,  large 
and  good  are  found  in  many  places,  and  the  lands  are 
particularly  adapted  to  the  culture  of  rice.  All 
European  fruits; — apples,  peaches,  pears,  cherries, 
currants,  gooiberries,  melons,  &c.  thrive  well,  both 
here  and  in  the  country  bordering  on  the  river 
Ohio. 

"  Ouiatanon  is  a  fmall  ftockaded  fort  on  the  weft- 
crn  fide  of  the  Wabafh,  in  which  about  a  dozen  fa 
milies  refide.  The  neighbouring  Indians  are  the 
Kickapoos,  Mufquitons,  Pyankifhaws,  and  a  princi 
pal  part  of  the  Ouiatanons.  The  whole  of  thefe  tribes 
confifr.  it  is  fuppofed,  of  about  one  thoufand  war 
riors.  The  fertility  of  foil,  and  diversity  of  timber 
in  this  country,  a*e  the  fame  as  in  the  vicinity  of 
Pofl  Vincient.  The  annual  amount  of  fkins  and 
furs  obtained  at  Ouiatanon  is  about  Soool.  By  the 
river  Wabafh,  the  inhabitants  of  Detroit  move  to  the 
fou  them  parts  of  Ohio  and  the  Illinois  country.  Their 
rout  is  by  the  Miami  riverto  a  carry  ing  place,  which, 
as  before  ftated,  is  nine  miles  to  the  Wabafh,  when 
this  river  is  raifed  with  frefhes.;  but  at  other  feafons, 
the  diftance  is  from  18  to  30  miles,  including  the 
portage.  The  whole  of  the  latter  is  through  a  level 
cou-ntry.  Carts  are  ufually  employed  in  tranfport- 
ing  boats  and  merchandize  from  the  Miami  to  the 
\Vabafh  river; 

cuvanoe  river  empties  itfelf  on  the  eaftern 
fide  of  Ohio,  about  95  miles  fouthwardly  of  the 
Wabafli  river.  It  is  250  yards  wide  at  its  month, 
has  been  navigated  180  miles  in  battcaux  of  the  con- 
ftr.iction  cf  thofe  mentioned  in  the  preceding  article, 
and  from  the  depth  of  water,  at  that  djftance  from 


APPENDIX,  ig^ 

jits  niouth,  it  is  prefumed,  it  may  be  navigated  much 
further.  The  foil  and  timber  of  the  lands  upon 
this  river  are  exaftly  the  lame  as  thole  upon  Buf- 
faloe  river. 

"The  Cherokee  river  difcharges  itfelf  into  the 
Ohio  on  the  fame  tide  that  the  Shawanoe  river  does, 
that  is,  13,  miles  below  or  {but  her  ly  of  it,  and  11 
miles  above,  or  northerly  of  the  place  where  Fort- 
Blailac  formerly  ftood,  and  57  miles  from  the  con- 
iijsnce  of  the  Ohio  with  the  river  MifMippi.  The 
Cherokee  river  has  besn  navigatedo^op  miles  from  its 
mouth.  At  the  diitanoe  of  22,0  miles  from  thence, 
it  widens  from  400  yard-,  (iif  g  '.ostal  width)  to  be 
tween  two  and  threemiles,ancico<:  .  breadth 
for  near  thirty  miles  farther.  The  wh  ;  dif* 
tance  is  called  the  Mufcle  Shcals.  Here  the  chan 
nel  is  obftrucTred  with  a  number  of  iflands,  formed 
by  trees  and  drifted  wood,  brought  hither,  at  differ 
ent  feafons  of  the  year,  in  frefnes  and  floods.  la 
pafling  thefe  iflands,  the  middle  of  tiie  wideft  inter 
mediate  water  is  to  be  navigated,  as  there  it  isdeepeft; 
From  the  mouth  of  the  Cherokee  river  to  Mufcle 
.Shoals  the  current  is  moderate,  and  both  the  high 
and  low  lands  are  rich,  and  abundantly  covered  with 
oaks,  walnut,  fugar-trees^  hickory.  Sec.-  Abou' 
•miles  above  thefe  fhoals  is,  what  is  called,  the  YV 
or  Suck,  occasioned,  I  imagine,  bv  the  hipji  nujin:- 
tfiin,  which  there  confines  the  river  (fuppoied  to  be 
the  Laurel  mountain.)  The  Whirl,  or  Suck,  con 
tinues  rapid  for  about  three  miles,  Its  width  about 
fifty  yards.  Afcending  the  Cherokee  river,  and  at 
about  100  miles  from  the  Suck,  and  upon  the  fouth- 
ea'lern  fide  of  that  river,  is  Hig'  Vaft 
traces  of  level  and  rich  L  .  :  i  •,  er  ;  but 
at  a  {mall  dillance  from  it,  the  co  •:!:;.  is  :r,-;ch  bro 
ken,  and  fome  parts  of  it  p: 

Forty  miles    higher  up  tl.e  Cherokee  river,  on  the 
iicrth-weftern iide,  is Cli:ich^rs  river.  It  is  i 

Q 


196  APPENDIX, 

wide,  and  about  fifty  miles  up  it  feveral  families  a?e 
fettled.  From  CJiriehe's  to  Tenefee  river  is  one 
hundred  miles.  It  comes  in  on  the  eaftern  fide, 
and  is  250  ysrds  wide.  About  ten  miles  up  this  ri 
ver  is  a  Cherokee  town,  called  Chota,  and  further 
up  this  branch  are  feveral  other  Indian  towns,  pof- 
fefled  by  Indians,  called,  the  Overtoil  Cherokee*. 
The  navigation  of  this  branch  is  much  interrupted 
by  rocks,  as  is  alfo  the  river  called  French  Broad, 
which  conies  into  the  Cherokee  river  fifty  miles 
above  the  Tenefee,  and  on  the  fame  fide.  One  hun 
dred  and  fifty  miles  above  French  Broad  is  Long- 
Ifland,  (three  mites  in  length)  and  from  thence  to  the 
fourceof  the  Cherokee  river  is  fixty  miles,  and  the 
whole  diftance  is  fo  rocky  as  to  be  fcarcely  navi 
gable  with  a  canoe. 

"  By  the  Cherokee  river,  the  emigrants  from  the 
frontier  counties  of  Virginia  and  North-Carolina, 
pafs  to  the  fettlements  in  Weft-Florida,  upon  the 
river  Mifiiffippi.  They  embark  at  Long-Ifland. 

'*  I  will  now  proceed  to  give  a  defcription  of  that 
part  called  the  Illinois  country,  lying  between  the 
JVlifliflippi  \vefterly,  the  Illinois  river  northerly,  the 
Wabafti  eafterly,  and  the  Ohio  foutherly. 

"  The  land  at  the  confluence,  or  fork  of  the  rivers 
Miffiffippi  and  Ohio,  is  above  twenty  feet  higher 
than  the  common  furfaceof  thefe  rivers;  yetfocon- 
fiderable  are  the  fpring  floods,  that  it  is  generally 
overflowed  for  about  a  week,  as  are  the  lands  for 
feveral  miles  back  in  the  country. — The  foil  at  the 
fork  is  compofed  of  mud,  earth,  and  fand,  accumu 
lated  from  the  Ohio  and  Miffiffippi  rivers.  It  is  ex 
ceedingly  fertile,  and  in  its  natural  ftate  yields  hemp, 
pea-vines,  grafs,  &c.  and  a  great  variety  of  tree?,  and 
in  particular  the  afpen  tree,  of  an  unufual  height 
and  thicknefs. 

"  For  25  miles  up  the  Miffiffippi  (from  the  Ohio) 
-the  country  is  rich,  level,  and  well  timbered;  and 

then 


A??ENDIX.  1Q7 

.  th«n  fevcral  gentle  riling  grounds  appear,  which 
gradually  diminifh  at  the  diftance  of  betweten  four 
and  rive  miles  eafhvard  from  the  river.  From  thence 
to  the  Kafkafklas  river  is  65  miles.  The  country  is 
a  mixture  of  hills  and  vallies;  fome  of  the  former  are 
rocky  and  fteep;  but  they,  as  well  as  the  vallies,  are 
lhaded  with  fine  oaks,  hickory,  walnut,  afh,  and 
mulberry  trees,  &c.  Some  of  the  high  grounds  af 
ford  moil  pleafant  fituations  for  fettlements.  Their 
elevated  and  airy  potitions,  together  with  the  great 
luxuriance  of  the  foil,  every  where  yielding  plenty 
of  grafs,  and  ufeful  plants,  promife  health,  and 
ample  returns  to  induftrious  fettlers. 

"  Many  quarries  of  lime,  frce-ftone,  and  marble,, 
have  been  difcovered  in  this  part  of  the  country. 

"  Several  creeks  and  rivers  fall  into  the  Miffilfippi, 
In  the  above  diftance  (0165  miles),  but  no  remark 
able  ones,  except  the  rivers  iVVaie  and  Kalkafkiasr. 
the  former  is  navigable  for  batteaux  about  60,  and 
the  latter  for  about  130  miles.  Both  thefe  rivers  run 
through  a  rich  country,  abounding  in  extenlive,  na 
tural  meadows,,,  and  numberlefs  herds  of  buffaioe, 
deer,  £c.. 

"  The  high  grounds,  juft  mentioned;  continue 
along  the  eafterri  fide  of  the  Kafkafkias  river,  at  a 
fmall  diftance  from  it,  for  the  ipace  of  five  miles  and 
a  half,  to  the  Kafkafkias  village;  then  they  incline 
more  towards  that  river,  and  run  nearly  parallel  with 
the  eaftern  bank  of  the  Miiliilippi,  at  the  diftance  of 
about  three  miles  in  fome  parts,  and  four  miles  in 
other  parts  from  it.  Thefe  arc  principally  com- 
pcfed  of  lime  and  free-ftone,  and  from  100  to  130 
feet  high,  divided  in  feveral  places  by  deep  cavities, 
through  which  many  fmall  rivulets  pafs  before  they 
fall  into  the  Miffiihppi.  The  fides  of  thefe  hills',, 
fronting  this  river,  are  in  many  places  perpendicu 
lar,  and  appear  like  folid  pieces  of  flone  mafonrv,. 
of  various  colours,  figures,  and  fizes. 

8-3  "The 


19  APPENDIX. 

"  The  low  land  between  the  hills  and  the  Mif* 
liffippi  begins  on  the  north  fide  of  the  Ka^afkias 
river,  and  continues  for  three  miles  above  the  river 
Mifouri,  where  a  high  ridge  terminates  it,  and  forms 
the  eaftern  bank  of  the  Mifiiflippi.  This  interval 
land  is  level,  has  few  trees,  and  is  of  a  very  rich  foil, 
yielding  flirubs  and  moft  iragrant  flowers,  which, 
added  to  the  number  and  extent  of  meadows  and 
ponds  difperfed  through  this  charming  valley,  ren 
der  it  exceedingly  beautiful  and  agreeable. 

"  In  this  vale  ftand  the  following  villages,  viz. 
Kafkafkias,  which,  as  already  mentioned,  is  five  miles 
and  a  half  up  a  river  of  the  fame  name,  running 
northerly  and  foutherly.  This  village  contains  80 
houfes,  many  of  them  well  built — feveral  of  flone, 
with  gardens  and  large  lots  adjoining.  It  confifls  of 
about  500  white  inhabitants,  and  between  four  and 
five  hundred  negrqes.  The  former  have  large  flocks 
€>f  black  cattle,  fwine,  &c. 

"  Three  miles  northerly  of  Kafkafkias,  is  a  village 
of  Illinois  Indians  (of  the  Kafkafkias  tribe)  contain 
ing  about  210  perfons  and  60  warriors.  They  were 
formerly  brave  and  warlike^but  are  degenerated  into 
a  drunken  and  debauched  tribe,  and  fo  indolent, 
as  fcarcely  to  procure  a  fufficiency  of  fkins  and  furs 
to  barter  for  clothing. 

"  Nine  miles  further  north  ward  than  the  laft  men 
tioned  village,  is  another,  called  La  Prairie  du  Ro- 
cher,  or  the  Rock  Meadows.  It  confifts  of  one  hun 
dred  white  inhabitants,  and  eighty  negroes. 

"  Three  miles  northerly  of  this  place,  on  the 
banks  of  the  Miffiffippi,  flood  Fort-Chartres.  It 
•was  abandoned  in  the  year  1772-,  as  it  was  rendered 
untenable  by  the  conftant  wafhings  of  the  River 
Miffiffippi  in  high  floods. — The  village  of  Fort- 
Chartres,  a  little  fomhward  of  the  fort,  contained  fo 
few  inhabitants  as  not  to  deferve  my  notice. 

"  One  mile  -higher  up  the  Mifiiflippi  than  Fort- 

Chartres, 


APPENDIX.  IQvJ 

Chartres,  is  a  village  fettled  by  170  warriors  of  the 
Piorias  and  Mitchigamias  (two  other  tribes  of  the 
Illinois  Indians).  They  are  as  idle  and  debauched 
as  the  tribe  of  Kaikafkias  which  I  have  juft  de- 
fcribed. 

"  Four  miles  higher  than  the  preceding  village, 
!s  St.  Philip's.  It  was  formerly  inhabited  by  about 
a  dozen  families,  but  at  prefent  is  polTefTed  only  by 
two  or  three.  The  others  have  retired  to  the  weft- 
ern  fide  of  the  Miffiffippi. 

"  Forty-five  miles  further  northwards  than  St. 
Philip's  (and  one  mile  up  a  fmall  river  on  the  fouth- 
ern  fide  of  it)  {lands  the  village  of  Cahokia.  It  has 
50  houfes,  many  of  them  well  built,  and  300  inha 
bitants,  pofTeffing  80  negroes,  and  large  flocks  of 
black  cattle,  fwine,  &c. 

"  Four  miles  above  Cahokia,  on  the  weflern  or 
Spanifh  fide  of  the  Miffiffippi,  ftands  the  village  of 
St.  Louis,  on  a  high  piece  of  ground.  It  is  the 
moft  healthy  and  pleafurablefituation  of  any  known 
in  this  part  of  the  country.  Here  the  Spanifli  com 
mandant  and  the  principal  Indian  traders  refide; 
who,  by  conciliating  the  affeclioris  of  the  natives, 
have  drawn  all  the  Indian  trade  of  the  Mifouri, 
part  of  that  of  the  Miffiffippi  (northwards)  and  of  the 
tribes  of  Indians  refiding  near  the  Ouifconfing  and 
Illinois  rivers,  to  this  village.  In  St.  Louis  are  1.20 
houfes,  moftly  built  of  flone.  They  are  large  and 
commodious.  This  village  has  800  inhabitants, 
chiefly  French; — fome  of  them  have  had  a  liberal 
education,  are  polite,  and  hofpitable.  They  have 
about  1 50  negroes,  and  large  flocks  of  black  cat 
tle,  &c. 

"Twelve  miles  below,  orfoutherly  of  Fort-Char- 
tres,  on  the  wellern  bank  of  the  Miffiffippi,  and 
nearly  oppofite  to  the  village  of  KafKafkias,  is  the 
village  of  St.  Genevieve,  or  Miffire.  It  contains  up 
wards  of  JLQO  tyo.ufes,  and  469  inhabitants,  befides 

negroes.* 


negroes.  This  and  St.  Louis  are  all  the  villages  that 
are  upon  the  weflern  or  .Spanifli  fide  of  the. Mif 
fiffippi. 

"  Four  miles  below  St.  Genevieve,  (on  the  wefl 
ern  bank  of  the  Miffiffippi,)  at  the  mouth  of  a  creek, 
is  a  hamlet,  called  the  Saline.  Here  all  the  fait  is 
made  which  is  ufed  in  the  Illinois  country,  from'a 
fait  tyring  that  is  at  this  place. 

"  In  the  feveral  villages  on  the  MifTnTippi,  which 
I  have  juit  defcribed,  there  were,  fo  long  ago  as  the 
year  1771,  twelve  hundred  and  feventy -three  fen- 
cible  men. 

"  The  ridge  which  forms  the  eaftern  bank  of  the 
Miffiffippi,  above  the  Mifouri  river,  continues  north 
erly  to  the  Illinois  river,  and  then  directs  its  ccurfe 
along  the  eaflern  fide  of  that  river  for  about  220 
miles,  when  it  declines  in  gentle  (lopes,  and  ends  in 
extenfive  rich  favannaho.  On  the  top  of  this  ridge, 
at  the  mouth  of  the  Illinois  river,  is  an  agreeable 
and  commanding  fituation  for  a  fort,  and  though 
the  ridge  is  high  and  fteep  (about- 130  feet  high),  and 
rather  difficult'  to  afcend,  yet  when  afcended,  it 
affords  a  moft  delightful  profpecl. — The  Miffiffippi 
is  diflinctly  feen  from  its  fumrnit  for  more  than' 
twenty  miles,  as  are  the  beautiful  meanderings  of 
the  Illinois  river  for  many  leagues; — next  a  level, 
fruitful  meadow  prefents  itfelf,  of  at  leaft  one  hun 
dred  miles  in  circuit  on  the  vveilern  fide  of  the  Mif 
fiffippi,  watered  by  feveral  lakes,  and  fliaded  by 
fmaU  groves  or  copies  of  trees,  fcnttered  in  different 
parts  of  it,  and  then  the  eye  with  rapture  furveys,. 
as  well  the  high  lands  bordering  upon  the  river  Mi 
fouri,  as  thofe  at  a  greater  diilance  up  the  Mifiiflippi. 
In  fine,  this  charming  ridge  is  covered  with  excel 
lent  grafs,  large  oak,  waln.ut-trees,  &c.  and  at  the 
cliflance  of  aboiu  nine  n:i'ts  from  the  Miuilljppi,  up 
the  Illinois  river,  are  feen  many  hrge  favannahs,  or 
>j  abounding  in  buffalce?  deer?  &c. 

"  In, 


APPENDIX. 


"  In  afcending  the  Miffiffippi,  Cape  au  Gres  par 
ticularly  attracted  my  attention.  Jt  is  about  eight 
leagues  above  the  Illinois  river,  on  the  eaftern  title 
of  the  Miffiffippi,  and  continues  above  five  leagues 
on  that  river.  There  is  a  gradual  defcent  back  to 
delighted  meadows,  and  to  beautiful  and  fertile  up 
lands,  watered  by  feveral  rivulets,  which  fall  into* 
the  Illinois  river,  between  thirty  and  forty  miles  from 
its  entrance  into  the  Miffiffippi,  and  into  the  latter 
at  Cape  au  Gres.  The  diftance  from  the  Miffiffippi 
to  the  River  Illinois  acrofs  the  country,  is  leflened  or 
increafed,  according  to  the  windings  of  the  former 
river  ;;  —  the  fmalleft  diftance  is  at  Cape  au  Gres,  and 
there  it  is  between  four  and  five  miles.  The  lands 
in  this  intermediate  fpace  between  the  above  two 
rivers  are  rich,  almoft  beyond  parallel,  covered  with 
large  oaks,  walnut,  &c.  and  not  a  ftone  is  to  be  feea 
except  upon  the  fides  of  the  river.  It  is  even  ac 
knowledged  by  the  French  inhabitants,  that  if  fet- 
tlements  were  only  begun  at  Cape  au  Gres,  thofe 
upon  the  Spanifh  fide  of  the  Miffiffippi  would  be 
abandoned,  as  the  former  would  excite  -a  conftant 
fucceffion  of  fettlers,  and  intercept  all  the  trade  of 
the  upper  Miffiflippi. 

"  The  Illinois  river  furnimes  a  communication 
with  Lake  Michigan,  by  the  Chicago  river,  and  by 
two  portages  between  the  latter  and  the  Illinois  river; 
the  longeft  of  which  does  not  exceed  four  miles. 

"  The  Illinois  country  is  in  general  of  a  fuperior 
foil  to  any  other  part  of  North  America  that  I  have 
feen.  It  produces  line  oak,  hickory,  cedar,  mul 
berry-trees,  &c.  fome  dying  roots  and  medicinal 
plants;  —  hops  arid  excellent  wild  grapes,  and  in  the 
year  1769,  one  hundred  and  ten  hog  {heads  of  well- 
tafted  and  ftrong  wine  were  made  by  the  French 
fettlers  from  chefe  grapes,  —  a  large  quantity  of  fugar 
is  alfo  annually  made  from  the  juice  of  the  maple- 
tree  5  and  as  the  mulberry-trees  are  long  and  nume 

rous. 


2O2  APPENDIX. 

rous,  I  prefume  the  making  of  filk  \vill  employ  the 
attention  and  induftry  of  the  fettlers,  v,  hen  the 
country  is  more  fu  t  is  at  prefent, 

and  efpecialiy  as  t  :'i  more  mode- 

rate,  and  favourab  k   worms,. 

than  they  r.re  in  many  oi  3. — • 

Indigo  may  like* 
not  more  than  two  cuttings  in  a   " 
and  Indian  corn  I 

iTain  and  pi',!fe,  t]  i,e  old 

colonies.     G:  <  Kb  vcarly 

raifed  by   the-  nois,  both  for 

their  o\vn  coniurrjpilon,  and  that  of  the  Indians; 
but  little  has  hitherto  been  exported  to  Europe. 
Hemp  grows  fpontaneouily,  and  is  of  a  goocUjex- 
ture;  its  common  height  is  10  feet,  and  its  thici. 
three  inches  (the  latter  reckoned  within  about  a  foot 
of  the  root),  and  \vkh  little  labour  any  quantity 
may  be  cultivated.  Flax  feed  has  hitherto  been  only 
raifed  in  fmall  quantities.  There  has  however  been 
enough  produced  to  me  be  fown  to  the 

greatefr  advantage.  7,  and  all 

other  European    t; 
copper,  and  lead  :. 
been  difcovered  in 
The  two  latter  r.re  v.'crked  01 
Miffiffippi,    with-  conf. 

owners.     There  i:  ers,  par 

ticularly  cat,  rch,  of .  an   uncommon 

lize. — SavannaiiS.  ,  are  both  nu 

merous  and  extend—  yiel  ling  c;:cc:ient  grafs,  and 
feeding  great  herds  of  fcc. — Ducks, 

teal,  gc'efe,  fv 

iants,   part/; d;;r:.>    &c.  n  the  lea- 

coafr  colonies,  are  ;K!  abun 

dance. — In  fhort,  *.  .  .ble  mind 

can  defire  is  to  be  found,  or  may,  with  little  paias, 

**  ^Niagara. 


APPENDIX. 


4;  Niagara  fort  is  a  moft  important  poflr.  It  fe- 
cures  a  greater  number  of  communications  through 
a  larger  country  than  probably  any  other  pafs  in  in 
terior  America;  —  it  (lands  at  the  entrance  of  a  ftrait, 
by  which  lake  Ontario  is  joined  to  lake  Erie,  and 
the  latter  is  conne&ed  with  the  three  great  lakes, 
Huron,  Michegan,  and  Superior.  About  nine  miles 
above  Fort  Niagara  the  carrying  place  begins.  It  is 
occasioned  by  the  ftupendous  catara<ft  of  that  name. 
The  quantity  of  water  which  tumbles  over  this  fall  is 
unparalleled  in  America;  its  heighth  is  not  lefs  than 
137  feet.  This  fall  would  interrupt  the  communi 
cation  between  the  lakes  Ontario  and  Erie,  if  a  road 
was  not  made  up  the  hilly  country  that  borders  upon 
the  ftrait.  This  road  extends  to  a  frnall  pofl  eigh 
teen  miles  from  Fort  Niagara.  Here  the  traveller 
embarks  in  a  batteau  or  canoe,  and  proceeds  eigh 
teen  miles  to  a  fmall  fort  at  Lake  Erie.  It  may  be 
proper  alfo  to  add,  that  at  the  end  of  the  firft  'two 
miles,  in  the  laft-mentioned  diftance  of  18  miles, 
the  ft  ream  of  the  river  is  divided  by  a  large  ifland, 
above  nine  miles  in  length  ;  and  at  the  upper  end  of 
it,  about  a  mile  from  Lake  Erie,  are  three  or  four 
iflands,  not  far  from  each  other  ;  —  thefe  iflands,  by 
Interrupting  and  confining  the  waters  difcharged 
from  the  lake,  greatly  increafe  the  rapidity  of  the 
ilream  ;  which  indeed  is  fo  violent,  that  the  ftiffeft 
gale  is  fcarcely  fufficient  to  enable  a  large  veflel  to 
item  it;  but  it  is  fuccefsfuJIy  refilled  in  fmall  batteaux 
or  canoes,  that  are  rowed  near  the  fliore. 

"  Lake  Erie  is  about  225  miles  in  length,  and 
upon  a  medium  about  40  miles  in  breadth.  It  af 
fords  a  good  navigation"  for  (hipping  of  any  burthen. 
The  coafl,  on  both  nV.es  of  the  lake,  is  generally  fa 
vourable  for  the  pafTagc  of  batteaux  and  canoes.  Its 
banks  in  many  places  have  a  flat  fan'dy  fhore,  parti 
cularly  to  the  eafhvard  of  the  peninfula  called  Long- 
Point,  which  extends  into  the  lake,  in  a  fouth-ean> 

cm 


2C4  APPENDIX. 

ern  dire&ion,  for  upwards  of  18  miles,  and  is  more 
than  five  miles  wide  in  the  broadefl  part;  but  the 
iilhumus,  by  which  itjoins  the  continent,  is  fcarcely 
t\vo  hundred  yards  wide.  The  peninfula  is  com- 
pofed  of  (and,  and  is  very  convenient  to  haul  boats 
out  of  the  furf  upon  (as  is  almoft  every  other  part 
of  the  fhore)  when  the  lake  is  too  rough  for  rowing 
or  failing;  yet  there  arefome  places  where,  in  boifter- 
ous  weather,  (on  account  of  their  great  perpendicu.- 
far  height,)  it  would  be  dangerous  to  approach,  and 
irnpoffible  to  land.  Moft  of  thefe  places  are  marked 
in  my  map  with  the  letter  X. 

"  Lake  Erie  has  a  great  variety  of  fine  fifli,  fuch 
as  fturgeon,  eel,  white  fifh,  trout,  perch,  &c. 

"  The  country,  northward  of  this  lake,  is  in  many 
parts  fwelled  with  moderate  hills,  but  no  high  moun 
tains.  The  climate  is  temperate,  and  the  air  health 
ful.  The  lands  are  well  timbered  (but  not  generally 
fo  rich  as  thofe  upon  the  fouthern  fide  of  the  lake), 
and  for  a  confiderable  diftance  from  it,  and  for  fe- 
veral  miles  eastward  of  Cayahoga  river,  they  appear 
quite  level  and  extremely  fertile;  and  except  where 
•exten-five  favannahs,  or  natural  meadows  intervene, 
are  covered  with  large  oaks,  walnut,  afli,  hickory, 
mulberry,  falTafras,  &c.  &"c.  and  produce  a  great  va 
riety  of  fhrubs  and  medicinal  roots. — Here  alfo  is 
great  plenty  of  buffaloe,  deer,  turkies,  partridges,  &c. 

"  Fort  Detroit  is  of  an  oblong  figure,  built  with 
itockades,  and  advantageoufly  fituated,  with  one 
entire  fide  commanding  the  river,  called  Detroit, 
This  fort  is  near  a  mile  in  circumference,  and  en- 
clofes  about  one  hundred  houfes,  built  in  a  regular 
manner,  with  parallel  iireets,  croffing  each  other  at 
right  angles.  Its  fituation  is  delightful,  and  in  the 
centre  of  a  pleafant,  fruitful  country. 

"  The  ftrait  St.  Ciair  (commonly  called  the  De 
troit  river)  is  at  its  entrance  more  than  three  miies 
wide,  but  in  afcending  it,  itsw.dth  perceptibly  di- 

minilhes, 


APPENDIX.  SO  J 

minifies,  fo  that  oppofite  to  the  fort  (which  is  18 
miles  from  Lake  Erie)  it  does  not  exceed  half  a  mile 
in  width.  From  thence  to  Lake  St.  Clair  it  widens  to 
more  than  a  mile.  The  channel  of  the  ftrait  is  gentle 
and  wide,  and  deep  enough  for  fhipping  of  great 
burden,  although  it  is  incommoded  by  feveral  ifland^ 
one  of  which  is  more  than  feven  miles  in  length. 
Thtfe  illands  are  of  a  fertile  foil,  and  from  their  fitua- 
tion  afford  a  very  agreeable  appearance.  For  eight 
aiiles  below,  and  the  fame  diftance  above  Fort  De 
troit,  on  both  fides  of  the  river,  the  country  is  divided 
into  regular  and  well-cultivated  plantations,  and  from 
the  contiguity  of  the  farmers'  houfes  to  each  other, 
they  appear  as  two  long  extended  villages.  The  in 
habitants,  who  are  mollly  French,  are  about  2000  in. 
number,  530  of  whom  areas  good  markfmen,  and 
as  well  accuftomed  to  the  woods,  as  the  Indian  na 
tives  themfelves.  They  raife  large  flocks  of  black 
cattle,  and  great  quantities  of  corn,  which  they  grind 
by  wind-mills  and  manufacture  into  excellent  flour. 
The  chief  trade  of  Detroit  confifls  in  a  barter  of 
coarfe European  goods  with  the  natives  for  furs,  deer 
ikins,  tallow,  &c.  &c. 

"  The  rout  from  Lake  St.  Clair  to  Lake  Huron  is 
v.p  a  flrait  or  river,  about  400  yards  wide.  This  river 
derives  itfelf  from  Lake  Huron,  and  at  the  diftance  of 
33  miles  lofes  itfelf  in  Lake  St.  Clair,  It  is  in  general 
rapid,  but  particularly  fo  near  its  fource:  its  channel, 
and  alfo  that  of  Lake  St.  Clair,  are  fufficicntly  deep  for 
{hipping  of  a  very  considerable  burthen.  This  flrait 
has  fevera'i  mouths,  and  the  lands  lying  between  them, 
are  fine  meadows.  The  country  on  both  fides  of  it, 
for  15  miles,  has  a  very  level  appearance,  but  from 
thence  to  Lake  Huron  it  is  in  many  places  broken, 
and  covered  wjth  white  pines,  oaks,  maple,  birch, 
and  beech." 


APPENDIX. 


Thoughts  en  tJic  Duration  cf  the  American  Commonwealth. 


JL  HERE  is  a  greater  probability  that  the  duration 
of  the  American  commonwealth  will  be  longer  than 
any  empire  that  has  hitherto  exifted.  For  it  is  a.truth, 
umyerfally  admitted,  that  all  the  advantages  which 
.ever  attended  any  of  the  monarchies  in  the  old  world, 
nil  center  in  the  new,  together  with  many  others 
which  they  never  enjoy.  The  four  great  empires, 
and  the  dominions  of  Charlemaign  and  -the  Turks, 
«11  rofe  by  concuiefts— none  by  the  arts  of  peace.  On 
the  contrary,  ;the  territory  of  the  United  States  has 
been  planted  and  reared  by  a  union  of  liberty,  good 
.conduit,  and  all  the  comforts  of  domeftic  virtue. 

All  the  greater  monarchies  were  formed  by  the 
conquefl  of  kingdoms,  different  in  arts,  manners, 
language,  temper,  or  religion,  from  the  conquerors ••• 
fo  that  the  union,  though  in  fome  cafes  very  ftrong, 
xvas  never  the  real  and  intimate  connection  of  the 
fame  people;  and  this  circumftance  principally  acce^ 
lerated  their  ruin,  and  was  abfolutely  the  caufe  of  it 
in  fome.  This  will  be  very  different  in  the  Ameri- 
tans.  They  will,  in  their  greateft  extent  and  popu 
lation,  be  one  and  the  fame  people — the  fame  in  lan 
guage,  religion,  laws,  manners,  tempers  and  purfuits; 
for  the  fmail  variation  in  fome  diftricts,  owing  to  the 
fettlement  of  Germans,  is  an  exception  fo  very  flight, 
.that  in  a  few  ages  it  will  be  unknown. 

The  AiTyrian  and  Roman  empires  were  of  very 
flow  growth,  and  therefore  lafted  the  longeft;  but  flill 
.their  increafe  was  by  conqueft,  and  the  union  ofdif- 
fonant  parts.  The  Perfian  and  Macedonian  monar 
chies  were  foon  founded  and  prefen'lv  overturned; 
the  former  not  lading  fo  long  as  the  AfT\  rian,  nor  a 
fixth  of  the  duration  of  the  Roman;  and  as  to  the 
it  lafted  but  fix  years.  This  advantage 

m 


APPENDIX.  267 

cf  a  libw  growth  is  ftrong  in  favour  of  the  Ameri 
cans;  the  wonderful  increafe  of  their  numbers  is  the 
natural  effect  of  plenty  of  land,- a  good  climate,  and 
a  mild  and  beneficent  government,  in  which  cor 
ruption  and  tyranny  are  wholly  unknown.-  Some 
centuries  are  already  pa  ft  fine  e  their  firfl  fettlement, 
and  many  more  will  pafs  before  their  power  appears 
in  its  full  fplendour;  but  the  quicknefs  of  a  growth 
that  is  entirely  natural  will  carry  with  it  no  marks  of 
decay,  being  entirely  different  from  monarchies  found 
ed  by  force  .of  arms.  The  Roman  empire  perifhed 
by  the  hands  of  northern  barbarians,  whom  the  mai- 
t-ers  of  the  world  difdained  to  conquer:  it  will  not  be 
fo  with  the  Americans;  they  fpread  gradually  over 
the  whole  continent,  infomuch  that  two  hundred 
years  hence  there  probably  will  be  nobody  but  them-- 
felves  in  the  whole  northern  continent:  from  whence 
therefore  fliould  their  Goths  and  Vandals  come  ?  Nor 
can  they  ever  have  any  thing- to  fear  from  the  fouth; 
firft,  becaufe  that  country  will  never  be  populous, 
owing  to  the  pofTeffion  of  mines:  fecondly,  there 
are  fcveral  nations  and  languages  planted  and  re 
maining  in  it:  thirdly,  the  moil  confiderable  part  of 
it  lies  in  the  torrid  zone;  a  region  that  never  yet  fent 
forth  nations  of  conquerors. 

In"  extent  the  habitable  parts  of  North-America 
exceed  that  of  any  of  the  four  empires,  and  confe- 
quently  can  feed  and  maintain  a  people  much  more 
numerous  than  the  Aflyrians  or  the  Romans.  The 
fit  nation  of  the  region  is  fo  advantageous  that  it 
leaves  nothing  to  be  w'flied  for;  it  can  have  no 
neighbours  from  whom  there  is  a  poflibility  of  attack 
or  rnoleilation;.  it  will  poflefs  all  thefolid  advantages 
of  theChineie  empire,  without  the  fatal  neighbour 
hood  of  the  Tartars. 

It  will  have  further  the  fingular  felicity  of  all  the 

advantages  of  an  ifland,  that  is,  a  freedom  from  the 

attacks  of  others,  and   too  many  difficulties,  -with 

T  z  100 


io  :  ;!ND2^ 

too  great  a  cliftance,  to  engage  in  enterprifes 
heretofore  proved  the  ruin  of  other  monarchies. 

The  foil,  the  climate,  production,  and  face  of  the 
continent,  are  formed  by  nature  for  a  great,  indepen 
dent,  and  permanent  government:  fill  it  with  people 
u-ho  will  of  themfcives,  of  courfe,  poifefs  all  fortb  of 
jnanufachires,  and  you  will  find  it  yielding  every 
TjeceiTary  and  convenience  of  life.  Such  a  vafl  tract 
of  country,  poii'eiiing  fuch  fingular  advantages,  be 
coming  inhabited  by  one  people,  fpeaking  the  fame 
language,  pro  felling  the  fame  religion,  and  having 
the  fame  manners;  attaining  a  population  equal  to 
that  of  thegreateft  empire;  fprung  from  an  active 
.and  inchiitrions  nation,  who  have  transfufed  into 
them  their  otvn  indultry  and  fpirit,  and  feen  them 
worthy  of  their  original;  inhabiting  a  foil  not  dan- 
geroufly  fertile,  nor  a  clime  generally  conducive  to 
effeminacy;  accuftomed  to  commerce:  fuch  a  peo 
ple  mull  found  .a  commonwealth  as  indiflblubie  as 
. humanity  will  allow.  Suffice  it  for  England,  thafr 
ihe  will  have  been  the  origin  of  a  commonwealth, 
gr^atef  arid  more  durable  than  any  former  monarchy ; 
that  her  language  and  her  manners  will  ftourifh  among 
a  people  who  will  one  day  become  a  fplendid  fpec- 
tacle  in  the  vaft  eye  of  the  univtrfe.  This  flattering 
idea  of  im mortality  no  other  nation  can  hope  to  at 
tain. 

And  here  let  me  make  an  observation  that  mould 
animate  the  r.;:thors  in  the  En;Hifn  iangunge  with  an 
r,r  that  cannot  be  infufed  into  thofc  of  any  other 
n-.itlon.;  it  is  llic  pleafing  idea  of  living  among  fo 
;yt'e;.t  a  people,  through  aim  of  I  a  perpetuity  of  fame, 
and  ft  an  in  •  bility  of  becoming,  like 

the  '-  >  dfad;   known  only  by 

the  le-rne--.:.  —  [ncfeasfing  time  will  bring  increafing 
rea'ie;s,  until  their  names  become  repeated  with 
pitufuve  by  above  an  hundred  millions  of  people! 

Aflat* 


APPENDIX,  209 

Afiatt  of  ins  Commercial  Inter  cwrfe  between  the  United- 
States  of  America  and  Foreign  "Nations.  Written  in 
the  Month  of  June,  1792.  By  Thomas  Jeff  erf on^  Ef<$- 
Secretary  of  State  t»  the  faid  United  States. 

The  countries  with  which  the  United  States  have 
had  their  chief  commercial  intercourfe,  are  Spain, 
Portugal,  France,  Great-Britain,  the  United  Ne 
therlands,  Denmark',  and  Sweden,  and  their  Ame 
rican  pofTelilons;  and  the  articles  of  export  which 
conftitute  the  bafis  of  that  commerce,  with  their  re- 
fpeclive  amounts,  are — 
Bread  fluff,  that  is  to  fay,  bread-grains, 

meals,  and  bread,  to  the  annual  a-        Dols, 

mount  of- 7,649,887 

Tobacco     •• 4,349,567 

Rice 1,753,796 

Wood -     ....     1,263,534 

Salted  fiih    --     -     -     -     -.    -     -     .        94^696 

Pot  and  pearl  afh    •    ---.--        839,093 
Salted  meats     --------        599,1^0 

Indigo    -• 537,379 

Horfes  and  mules     -     -----        339,753 

Whale  oil    -------     -     .-«      252,591 

Flax  feed ..-        23650*7^ 

Tar,. pitch,  and  turpentine    -     -     -     -       217,177 

Live  provifions     -------        J37)743 

Ships 

Foreign   goods      -•- --      620,274. 

To  defcend  to  articles  of  fmaller  value  than  theie, 
would  lead  into  a  minutenefs  of  detail  neither  ne~ 
cefTary  nor  ufeful  to  the  prefent  object. 

The  proportions  of  our  exports,  which  go  to  the 
nations  before  mentioned,  and  to  their  dominions,- 
rsfpectively,  are  as  follows: 


T-3  To 


APPENDIX* 


To  Spain  and  its  dominions       -'•-;-  2.005,907 

Portugal  and  its  dominions         -  1,283,462 

France  and  its  dominions            -     -     -  4,698,735 

Great-Britain  and  its  dominions      -     -  9,363,416 

The  U.Netherlands  and  their  dominions  1,963,880 

Denmark  and  its  dominions      -     -     -  224,415 

Sweden  and  its  dominions         ...  47,240 

Our  Imports  from  the  fame  countries  are  — 

Spain  and  its  dominions  -  -  -  -  .  335,110 
Portugal  and  its  dominians  -  -  -  -  595,763 
France  and  its  dominions  -  -  -  -  2,068,348 
Great-Britain  and  its  dominions  -  -  15,285,428 
United  Netherlands  and  their  dominions  1,172,692, 
Denmark  and  its  dominions  -  ...  351,394 
Sweden  and  its  dominions  -  ...  H>325 

Thefe  imports  confift  moftly  of  articles  on  which 
induitry  has  been  exhaufted. 

Oiir   navigation,   depending  on  the  fame   com 
merce,  will  appear  by  the  following  ftatement  of 
ihe  tonnage  of  our  own  vefltls,  entering  into  our 
ports,    from  thofe   feveral  nations   and   their   pof- 
ieilions,  in  one  year,  that  is  to  fay,  from  October, 
1789,  to  September,  1790,  inclufive,  as  follows: 

Tons. 

Spain  ---.._.._        19,695 

Portugal         .........       23,576 

France  -.-,.....     116,410 

Great-Britain       ........       43,580 

United  Netherlands       ......       58,858 

Denmark  .......       H>65  5 

Sweden  .......  750* 

Of  our  commercial  objects,  Spain  receives  fa 
vourably  our  bread  fluff,  faked  iifh,  wood,  {lu'psr 
tar,  pitch,  and  turpentine.  On  our  meals,  how 
ever,  as  well  as  on  thofe  of  other  foreign  countries, 
when  re-exported  to  their  colonies,  they  have  lately 

ijnpofed 


APPENDIX.  21  I 

impofcd  duties  of  from  half  a  dollar  to  two  dollars 
the  barrel,  the  duties  being  fo  proportioned  to  the 
current  price  of  their  own  flour,  as  that  both  toge 
ther  are  to  make  the  conftant  fum  of  nine  dollars 
per  barrel. 

They  do  not  difcourage  our  rice,  pot  and  pearl 
afh,  falted  provifions,  or  whale  oil :  but  thefe  articles 
being  in  fmall  demand  at  their  markets,  are  carried 
thither  but  in  a  fmall  degree.  Their  demand  for 
rice,  however,  is  increaimg.  Neither  tobacco  nor 
indigo  are  received  there.  Our  commerce  is  per 
mitted  with  their  Canary  Iflands,  under  the  fame 
conditions. 

Themfelves  and  their  colonies  are  the  actual  con- 
fumers  of  what  they  receive  from  us. 

Our  navigation  is  free  with  the  kingdom  of  Spain ; 
foreign  goods  being  received  there  in  our  mips,  on 
the  fame  conditions  as  if  carried  in  their  own,  or  in 
the  veflels  of  the  country  of  which  fuch  goods  are 
the  manufacture  or  produce. 

Portugal  receives  favourably  our  grain  and  bread, 
ialted  fifh  and  other  falted  provifions,  wood,  tar, 
pitch,  and  turpentine. 

For  flax-feed,  pot  and  pearl  am,  though  not  dif- 
couraged,  there  is  little  demand. 

Our  mips  pay  20  per  cent,  on  being  fold  to  their 
fubiects,  and  are  then  free  bottoms. 

Foreign  goods,  (except  thofe  of  the  Eaft-Indies) 
are  received  on  the  fame  footing  in  our  veflels  as  in 
their  own,  or  any  others;  that  is  to  fay,  on  general 
duties  of  from  twenty  to  twenty-eight  per  cent,  and 
confequently  our  navigation  unobftrucled  by  them, 
Tobacco,  rice,  and  meals,  are  prohibited. 

Themfelves  and  their  colonies  confumc  what  they 
receive  from  us. 

Thefe  regulations  extend  to  the  Azores,  Madeira, 
and  the  Cape  de  Verd  Iflands,  except  that  in  thefe 
meals  and  rice  are  received  freely. 

France 


ST£  APPENDIX. 

France  receives  favourably  our  bread  fluff,  rice, 
wood,  pot  and  pearl  ames. 

A  duty  of  five  fous  the  kental,  or  nearly  four 
and  a  half  cents,  is  paid  on  our  tar,  pitch,  and  tur 
pentine.  Our  whale  oil  pays  fix  livres  the  kental, 
and  are  the  only  foreign  whale  oils  admitted.  Our 
indigo  pays  five  livres  on  the  kental;  their  own,  two 
and  an  half :  but  a  difference  of  quality,  (till  more 
than  a  difference  of  duty,  prevents  its  feeking  that 
market. 

Salted  beef  is  received  freely  for  re-exportation, 
but  if  for  home  confurnption,  it  pays  five  livres  the 
kental.  Other  faked  proviiions  pay  that  duty  in  all 
cafes,  and  faked  fifh  is  made  lately  to  pay  the  prohir 
bitory  one  of  twenty  livres  in  the  kental. . 

Our  (hips  are  free  to  carry  thither  all  foreign  goods 
which  may  be  carried  in.  their-own  or  any  other 
veffels,  except  tobaccoes  not  of  our  own  growth; 
and  they  participate  with  their's  the  exclusive  car 
riage  of  our  whale  oils  and  tobaccoes. 

During  their  former  government,  our  tobacco  was 
tinder  a  monopoly,  but  paid  no  duties ;  and  our  fhips 
were  freely  fold  in  their  ports,  and  converted  into 
national  bottoms..  T-he  firft  National  Afiembly 
took  from  our  ihips  this  privilege :  they  emancipated- 
tobacco  from  its  monopoly,  but  fubjecled  it  to  du 
ties  of  eighteen  livres  fifteen  faus  the  kental,  carried 
in  their  own  vefTels,  and  twenty-five  livres  carried  in 
ours,  a  difference,  mere  than  equal  to  the  freight  of 
the  article* 

They  and  their-  colonies  confum& what  they  re 
ceive  from  us. 

Great-Britain  receives  our  pot  and  pearl  allies 
free,  while  thofe  of  other  nations  pay  a  duty  of  two 
{hillings  and  three  pence  the  kental.  There  is  arv 
equal  diftinction  in  favour  of  our  bar  iron,  of  which 
article,  however,  we  do  not  produce  enough  for  our 
own  ufe.  Woods  are  free  from  us,  whilft  they  pay 


APPENDIX, 

fome  finall  duty  from  other  countries.  Our  tar  and 
pitch  pay  ud.  fterling  the  barrel;  from  other  alien 
countries  they  pay  about  a  penny  and  a  third  more. 

Our  tobacco,  for  their  own  consumption,  pays 
is.  3d.  fterlmg  the  pound,  cuflom  and  excii'e,  be- 
fides  heavy  expences  of  collection.  And  rice,  in  the 
lame  cafe,  pays  75.  40}.  ftcrling  the  hundred  weight  j 
which  rendering  it  too  dear  as  an  article  of  common 
food,  it  is  confequently  ufed  in  very  fmall  quantity, 

Our  falted  fifli,  and  other  falted  provifions,  ex 
cept  bacon,  are  prohibited.  Bacon  and  whale  oil' 
are  under  prohibitory  duties;  fo  are  our  grains,  meals, 
and  bread,  as  to  internal  confumption,  unlefs  in 
times  of  fueh  fcarcity  as  may  raife  the  price  of 
wheat  to.  503.  fterling  the  quarter,  and  other  grains 
and  meals  in  proportion. 

Our  (hips,  though  purchafed  and  navigated  by 
their  own  fubjects,  are  not  permitted  to  be  ufed, 
even  in  their  trade  with  us. 

While  the  vefTels  of  other  nations  are  Secured  by 
{landing  laws,  which  cannot  be  altered  but  by  the 
concurrent  will  of  the  three  branches  of  the  Britifh 
legiflature,  in  carrying  thither  any  produce  or  ma 
nufacture  of  the  country  to  which  they  belong, 
which  may  be  lawfully  carried  in  any  veiTels,  ours, 
with  the  fame  prohibition  of  what  is  foreign,  are 
further  prohibited  by  a  (landing  law  (12  Car.  II.  28. 
§  3)  from  carrying  thither  all  and  I-HIV  of  our  own 
domett? c  productions  and  manufactures.  A  fubfe- 
qnent  act,  indeed,  authorifed  their  executive  to  per 
mit  the  carriage  of  our  own  productions  in  our  own 
bottoms,  at  its  fole  difcreti'on ;  and  the  permiffion 
has  been  given  from  year  to  year  by  proclamation-, 
but  fubject  every  moment  to  be  withdrawn  on  that 
fingle  will,  in  which  event  our  velfels  having  any 
thing  on  board,  Hand  interdicted  from  the  entry  of 
all  Britiih  ports.  The  difadvantage  of  a  tenure 
which  may  be  fo  fuddenly  difcontiaued  was  experi 
enced 


£'4:  APPENDIX;- 

enced  by  our  merchants  on  a  late  occafion,  when  avv 
official  notification  that  this  law  would  be  ftriftly 
enforced,  gave  them  juft  apprehenfions  for  the  fate 
of  their  vefTels  and  cargoes  difpatched  or  diftined  to- 
the  ports  of  Great-Britain.  The  miiiifter  of  that 
court,  indeed,  frankly  exprefled  his  perfonal  con 
viction  that  the  words  of  the  order  went  farther  than* 
was  intended,  and  fo  he  afterwards  officially  inform 
ed  us;  but  the  embarraffrnents  of  the  moment  were 
real  and  great,  and  the  poflibility-  of  their  renewal 
lays  our  commerce  to  that  country  under  the  fame 
fpecies  of  difcouragement  as  to  other  countries  where 
it  is  regulated  by  a  (ingle  legiOator;  and  the  diftinc- 
tion  is  too  remarkable  not  to  be  noticed,  that  our 
navigation  is  excluded  from  the  fecurity  of  fixed 
laws,  while  that  fecurity  is  given,  to  the  navigation- 
of  others. 

Our  vefTels  pay  their  ports  is.  gd~.  fterling  per  ton, 
light  and  trinity  dues,  more  than  is  paid  by  British- 
fhips,  except  in  the  port  of  London,  where  they 
pay  the  fame  as  Britifh. 

The  greater  part  of.  what  they  receiv-e  from  us  i.s 
re-exported  to  other  countries,  under  the  ufelefs- 
charges  of  an  intermediate  depofit  and  double  voy 
age.  From  tables  publiflied  in  England,  and  com- 
pofed,  as  is-  (aidj  from  the  books  of  their  cullom- 
houfes,  it  appears  that  of  the  indigo  imported  there 
in  the  years  17/3- — 4 — $,  one  third  was  re-exported  ;. 
and  from  a  document  of  authority,  we  learn  that  of 
the  rice  and  tobacco  imported  there  before  the  war^ 
four-fifths  were  re-exported.  Vvre  are  alfured,  in 
deed,  that  the  quantities  fent  thither  for  re-exporta 
tion  fmce  tlie.  war,  are  cohfiderably  diminitlied,  yet 
lefs  fo  than  reafon  and  national  intereft  would  dic 
tate.  The  whole  of  our  grain  is.  re-exported  when, 
wheat  is  below  505.  the  quarter,  and  other  grains  in 
proportion. 

The  United  Netherlands  prohibit  our  pickled  beef 

and. 


APPE'NDTX,  S*$ 

.«nd  pork,  menls  and  bread  of  all  forts,  and  lay  a 
•prohibitory  duty  on  fpirits  diftilted  from  grain. 

All  other  of  our  productions  are  received  on  va 
ried  duties,  which  may  be 'reckoned  on  a  medium  at 
about  three  per  cent. 

They  confume  but  a  fmall  proportion  of  what 
they  receive;  the  refidue  is  partly  forwarded  for  con-- 
fumption  in  the  iniand  parts  of  Europe,  and  partly 
re-fhipped  to  other  maritime  countries.  .On  the 
latter  proportion  they  intercept  between  us  and  the 
confumer  fo  much  of  the  value  as  is  abforbed  by  the 
charges  attending  an  intermediate  depolit. 

Foreign  goods,  except  fome  Eaft-India  articles, 
are  received  in  vefiels  of  any  nation. 

Our  (hips  may  be  fold  and  naturalized  there  with 
exceptions  of  one  or  two  privileges,  which  fome- 
what  leflen  their  value. 

Denmark  lays  confiderable  duties  on  our  tobacco 
and  rice  carried  in  their  own  vefTels,  and  half  as 
much  more  if  carried  in  ours;  but  the  exact  amount 
of  thefe  duties  is  not  perfectly  known  here.  They 
lay  fuch  as  amount  to  prohibitions  on  our  indigo 
and  corn. 

Sweden  receives  favourably  our  grains  and  meals, 
falted  provifions,  indigo,  and  whale  oil. 

They  fubject  our  rice  to  duties  of  fixteen  mills 
the  pound  weight  carried  in  their  own  veflels,  and 
of  forty  percent,  additional  on  that,  or  22,4  TO  mills, 
carried  in  ours  or  any  others.  Being  thus  rendered 
too  dear  as  an  article  of  common  food,  little  of  it  is 
confumed  with  them.  They  confume  more  of  our 
tobaccoes,  which  they  take  circuitoufly  through 
Great-Britain,  levying  heavy  duties  on  them  alfo; 
their  duties  of  entry,  town  duties,  and  excifc,  being 
4  dols.  34  cents,  the  hundred  weight,  if  carried  in. 
their  own  veflels,  and  of  40  per  cent,  on  that  addi 
tional,  if  carried  in  our  own  or  any  other  veiTels. 

They  prohibit  altogether  our  bread,  fifh,  pot  and 

pear! 


£l6  APPENDIX. 

pearl  afhes,  flax-feed,  tar,  pitch  and  turpentine., 
wood  (except  oak  timber  and  mafts),  and  all  foreign 
manufactures. 

Under  fo  many  reftri&ions  and  prohibitions,  our 
navigation  with  them  is  reduced  almoft  to  nothing. 

With  our  neighbours, -an  order  of  things  much 
harder  prefents  itfelf. 

Spain  and  Portugal  refufe  to  thofe  parts  of  Ame 
rica  which  they  govern,  all  direct  intercourfe  with 
any  people  but  themfelves.  The  commodities  in 
mutual  demand  between  them  and  their  neighbours 
mu ft  be  carried  to  be  exchanged  in  fome  port  of  the 
dominant  country,  and  the  tranfportation  between 
that  and  the  fubject  flate  muft  be  in  a  domeftic 
bottom. 

France,  l>y  a  ftanding  law,  permits  her  Weft- 
7ndia  pbfleffions  to  receive  directly  our  vegetables, 
live  provifions,  horfes,  wood,  tar,  pitch  and  turpen 
tine,  rice  and  maize,  and  prohibits  our  other  bread 
F;  but  a  fufpeniion  of  this  prohibition  having 
•been  left  to  the  colonial  legiflatures  in  times  of  fear- 
city,  it  was  formerly  fulpended  occafionally,  but 
latterly  without  interruption. 

Our  frefli  and  faked  provifions  (except  pork)  are 
received  in  their  iflands  under  a  duty  of  three  colonial 
livres  the  kental,  and  our  veflels  are  as  free  as  their 
own  to  carry  our  commodities  thither,  and  to  bring 
away  rum  and  molafles. 

Great-Britain  admits  in  her  iflands  our  vegetables, 
live  provifions,  horfes,  wood,  tar,  pitch  and  turpen 
tine,  rice  and  bread  fluff,  by  a  proclamation  of  her 
executive,  limited  always  to  the  term  of  a  year. 
She  prohibits  our  falted  provifions:  fhe  does  not 
permit  our  veflcls  to  carry  thither  our  own  produce. 
Her  vefleis  alone  may  take  it  from  us,  and  bring  in 
exchange,  rum,  molafles,  fugar,  coffee,  cocoa  nuts, 
ginger,  and  pimento.  There  are,  indeed,  fomc 
freedoms  in  the  ifland  of  Dominica,  but  under  iuch 

circumftances 


APPENDIX.  217 

•circumftances  as  to  be  little  ufed  by  us.  In  the 
Britifh  continental  colonies,  and  in  Newfoundland, 
all  our  productions  are  prohibited,  and  our  vefTel* 
forbidden  to  enter  their  ports;  their  governors  how 
ever,  in  times  of  diftrefs,  have  power  to  permit* 
temporary  importation  of  certain  .articles  in  their 
own  bottoms,  but  not  in  ours. 

Our  citizens  cannot  reiide  as  merchants  or  fadlort 
within  any  of  the  Britifh  plantations,  this  being  ex- 
prefsly  prohibited  by  the  fame  flatute  of  12  Car.  II, 
C.  18.  commonly  called  the  Navigation  Act.  . 

In  the  Danifh  American  pofleffions,  a  duty  of 
five  per  cent,  is  levied  on  our  corn,  corn-meal,  rice,, 
tobacco,  wood,  falted  nfh,  indigo,  horfes,  mules> 
and  live  flock;  and  of  ten  per  cent,  on  our  flour, 
falted  pork  and  beef,  tar,  pitch,  and  turpentine. 

In  the  American  iflands  of  the  United  Nether 
lands  and  Sweden,  our  veffels  and  produce  are  re 
ceived,  fubjeft  to  duties,  not  fo  heavy  as  to  have 
been  complained  of;  but  they  are  heavier  in  the 
Dutch  pofTcffions  on  the  continent. 

To  fum  up  thefe  reflridions,  fo  far  as  they  arc 

i/?.   In  Europe-*— 

Our  bread  fluff  is  at  moil  times  under  prohibitory 
duties  in  England,  and  confiderably  dutied  on  ex 
portation  from  Spain  to  her  colonies. 

Our  tobaccoes  are  heavily  dutied  in  England, 
Sweden,  and  France,  and  prohibited  in  Spain  and 
Portugal. 

Our  rice  is  heavily  dutied  in  England  and-Sweden, 
and  prohibited  in  Portugal.' 

Our  fifh  and  falted  provisions  are  prohibited  in 
England,  and  under  prohibitory  duties  in  France. 

Our  whale-oils  are  prohibited' in  England  and  Por 
tugal. 

And  our  veflels  are  denied  naturalization  in  Eng 
land,  and  of  late  in  France. 

U  */.  2# 


ftl8  APPENDIX- 

2</.  In  the  Weft-Indies. 

All  intercourfe  is  prohibited  with  the  pofieffrons 
of  Spain  and  Portugal. 

Our  failed  proviiions  and  nfh  are  prohibited  by 
England. 

Our  falted  pork,  and  bread  fluff  (except  maize,} 
are  received  under  temporary  laws  only,  in  the  do 
minions  of  France,  and  our  falted  fifh  pays  there  a 
weighty  duty. 

3d.     In  the  Article  of  N 


Our  own  carriage  of  our  own  tobacco  is  heavily 
dutied  in  Sweden,  and  lately  in  France. 

We  can  carry  no  article,  not  of  our  own  produc 
tion,  to  the  Britifh  ports  in  Europe. 

Nor  even  our  own  produce  to  her  American 
pofleflions. 

Such  being  the  reftriclions  on  the  commerce  and 
navigation  of  the  United  States,  the  queftion  is,  in 
what  way  they  may  beft  be  removed,  modified,  or 
counteracted  •? 

As  to  the  commerce,  two  methods  occur,  i.  By 
friendly  arrangements  with  the  feveral  nations  with 
•whom  thefe  reftriclions  exift:  or,  zd.  By  the  fepa- 
rate  act  of  our  own  legiflatures  for  countervailing 
their  effects. 

There  can  be  no  doubt,  but  that  of  thefe  two, 
friendly  arrangement  is  the  mod  eligible.  Inftead 
of  embarraffing  commerce  under  piles  of  regulating 
laws,  duties,  and  prohibitions,  could  it  be  relieved 
from  all  its  (hackles  in  all  parts  of  the  world  —  could 
every  country  be  employed  in  producing  that  which 
nature  has  beft  fitted  it  to  produce,  and  each  be  free 
to  exchange  with  others  mutualfurpluiTes  for  mutual 
wants,  the  greatefl  mafs  poflible  would  then  be  pro 
duced  of  thofe  things  which  contribute  to  human 
life  and  human  happinefs:  the  numbers  of  mankind 
would  be  increafed,  and  their  condition  bettered. 

Would 


APPENDIX.  219 

Would  even  a  fingle  nation  begin  with  the  United 
States  this  fyftem  of  free  commerce,  it  would  be 
advifable  to  begin  it  with  that  nation;  fince  it  is  by 
one  only  that  it  can  be  extended  to  all.  Where  the 
c  5  re  urn  fiances  of  either  party  render  it  expedient  to 
levy  a  revenue,  by  way  of  import,  on  commerce, 
its  freedom  might  be  modified,  in  that  particular,  by 
mutual  and  equivalent  meafures,  preierving  it  entire 
in  all  others. 

Some  nations,  not  yet  ripe  for  free  commerce,  iu 
all  its  extent,  might  ftill  be  willing  to  mollify  its  re- 
ftriclions  and  regulations  for  us  in  proportion  to  the 
advantages  which  an  intercourfe  with  us  might 
offer.  Particularly  they  may  concur  with  us  in  re 
ciprocating  the  duties  to  be  levied  on  each  fide,  or 
in  compenfating  any  excefs  of  duty,  by  equivalent 
advantages  of  another  nature.  Our  commerce  is 
certainly  of  a  character  to  entitle  it  to  favour  in  moft 
countries.  The  commodities  we  offer  are  either 
neceflaries  of  life,  or  materials  for  manufacture,  or 
convenient  fubjecls  of  revenue;  and  we  take  in  ex 
change,  either  manufactures,  when  they  have  re 
ceived  the  laft  finim,  of  art  and  induftry,  or  mere 
luxuries.  Such  cuftomers  may  reafonably  expect 
welcome,  and  friendly  treatment  at  every  market; 
cuftomers  too,  whole  demands,  increafing  with  their 
wealth  and  population,  muft  very  {hortly  give  full 
employment  to  the  whole  induftry  of  any  nation 
xvhatever,  in  any  line  of  fupply  they  may  get  into 
the  habit  of  calling  for  from  it. 

But  mould  any  nation,  contrary  to  our  wiflies, 
fuppofe  it  may  better  find  its  advantages  by  continu 
ing  its  fyftem  of  prohibitions,  duties,  and  regula 
tions,  it  behoves  us  to  prote&  our  citizens,  their 
commerce,  and  navigation,  by  counter-prohibitions, 
duties,  and  regulations  alfo.  Free  commerce  and 
navigation  are  not  to  be  given  in  exchange  for  re- 
flrictions  and  vexatious;  nor  are  they  likely  to  pro 
duce  a  relaxation  of  them. 

U  2,  Our 


320  APPENDIX. 

Our  navigation  involves  ftiil  higher  confuki:- 
tions.  As  a  branch  of  indufrry,  it  is  valuable;  bat 
AS  a  reiburce,  eilentia!. 

Its  value,  as  a  branch  of  induftry,  is  enhanced  by 
the  dependence  of  fo  many  other  branches  on  it.  In 
times  of  general  peace  it  multiplies  competitors  for 
employment  in  tranfportation,  and  io  keeps  that  at 
its  proper  level;  and  in  times  of  war,  that  is  to  fay, 
when  thole  nations  who  may  be  our  principal  car 
riers,  ihall  be  at  war  with  each  other,  if  we  have  not 
within  ourfelves  the  means  of  tranfportation,  our 
produce  mnir  be  exported  in  belligerent  veflels  at 
the  increafed  expence  of  warfreight  and  infurance, 
and  the  articles  which  will  not  bear  that,  muft  perifh. 
on  our  hands. 

But  it  is  a  refonrce  for  defence  that  our  navigation 
vill  admit  neither  neglect  nor  forbearance.  The 
pciitron  and  circtimilances  of  the  United  States  leave 
them  nothing  to  fenr  on  their  land-board,  and  nothing 
to  defire  beyond  their  prefent  rights.  But  on  their 
iea- board,  they  are  open  to  injury,  and  they  have 
there,  too,  a  commerce  which  muft  be  protected. 
This  can  only  be  done  by  poflefiing  a  refpeclable 
body  of  citizen -feamen,  and  of  arti'ic  r.nd  eftabiiflv- 
Clients  in  read  in  efs  for  Ihip-biiilding 

Were  the  ocean,   which  is  the  common  properly- 
*if  all,,  open  to  the  induilry  of  all?  fo  that  every  per-- 
ibn  and   vefiel  fliould  be  free  to  take  employment 
-ever  it  could  be  found,  tlie  United  States  would 
j'.inly  not    fet  the  fx^rnple   of  appropriating  to 
:liemfelves,  exclufively,  any  portion  of  the  common 
':.  of  occupation.     They  would  rely   on  the  en- 
nd  activity  of  their  citizens  for  a  due  parti- 
ion  of  the  benefits  of  the  feafnring  bufinefs,and 
for  keeping  the  marine  clafs  of  citizens  equal  to  their 
t.     But   if  particular  nations  grafp  at   undue 
•s,  and  more  efpecially  if  they  feize  on  the  means 
of  the  United  States  to  convert  them  into  aliment  fdr 
their  own  ftrength,and  withdraw  them  entirely  from 

*"'  the 


APPENDIX.  221 

the  fupport  of  thofe  to  whom  they  belong,  defenfive 
and  protecting  meafures  becoire  neceflary  on  the 
part  of  the  nation  whofe  marine  refources  are  thus 
invaded,  or  it  will  be  difarmed  of  its  defence;  its 
productions  will  lie  at  the  mercy  of  •  the  nation 
which  has  poflefied  itfelf  exclufively  of  the  means  of 
carrying  them,  and  its  politics  may  be  influenced 
by  thofe  who  command  its  commerce.  The  carri 
age  of  our  own  commodities,  if  once  eftablilhed  in 
another  channel,  cannot  be  relumed  in  the  moment 
we  may  defire.  If  we  lofe  the  feamen  and  artifts 
whom  it  now  occupies,  we  lofe  the  prefent  means 
of  marine  defence,  and  time  will  be  requifite  to  raife 
up  others,  when  difgrace  or  lofles  fnali  bring  home 
to  our  feelings  the  error  of  having  abandoned  them. 
The  materials  for  maintaining  our  due  fliare  of  na 
vigation  are  ours  in  abundance;  and  as  to  the  mode 
of  ufing  them,  we  have  only  to  adopt  the  principles 
of  thofe  who  thus  put  us  on  the  defenfive,  or  others 
equivalent  and  better  fitted  to  our  circumfhnces. 

The  following  principles  being  founded  in  reci 
procity,  appear  perfectly  juft,  and  to  offer  no  caufe 
of  complaint  to  any  nation. 

ift.  Where  a  nation  impofes  high  duties  on  our 
productions,  or  prohibits  them  altogether,  it  maybe 
proper  for  us  to  do  the  fame  by  theirs,  firft  burthen- 
ing  or  excluding  thofe  productions  which  they  bring 
here  in  competition  with  our  own  of  the  fame  kind; 
felecting  next  fuch  manufactures  as  we  take  from 
them  in  greateft  quantity,  and  which  at  the  fame 
time  we  could  the  foor.eft  furnim  to  ourfelves,  or 
obtain  from  other  countries;  impofing  on  them  du- 
ties  lighter  at  firft,  but  heavier  and  heavier  afterwards, 
as  other  channels  of  fupply  open.  Such  duties  hav 
ing  the  effect  of  indirect  encouragement  to  domeftic 
manufactures  of  the  fame  kind,  may  induce  the 
manufacturer  to  come  himfelf  into  thofe  liates; 
where  cheaper  fubiiftence,  equal  laws,  and  a  vent 
of  his  wares,  free  of  duty,  may  infure  him  the 
U  3  higher* 


APPENDIX. 


higheft  profits  from  his  fkill  and  induftry.  An<! 
here  it  would  be  in  the  power  of  the  ftate  govern 
ments  to  co-operate  eflentially,  by  opening  the  re- 
iburces  of,  encouragement  which  are  under  their 
controul,  extending  them  liberally  to  art  i  Its  in  thofe 
particular  branches  of  manufacture,  for  which  their 
foil,  climate,  population,  and  other  circumftances 
have  matured  them,  and  foftering  the  precious  efforts 
and  progrefs  of  houfehold  manufacture,  by  fome  pa 
tronage  fuited  to  the  nature  of  its  objects,  guided  by 
the  local  informations  they  poilefs,  and  guarded 
againft  abufe  by  their  prefence  and  attentions.  The 
oppreffions  on  our  agriculture  in  foreign .  ports 
would  thus  be  made  the  occafion  of  relieving  it  from 
a  dependence  on  the  councils  and  conduit  of  others, 
and  of  promoting  arts,  manufactures,  and  popula 
tion,  at  home. 

2jd.  Where  a  nation  refufes  permiffien  to  our 
merchants  and  factors  to  refide  within  certain  parts 
of  their  dominions,  we  may,  if  it  fliould  be  thought 
expedient,  refufe  refidence  to  theirs  in  any  and  every 
part  of  ours,  or  modify  their  tranfa£tions. 

3.  Where  a  nation  refufes  to  receive  in  our  veiTels 
niiV  productions  but  our  own,  we  may  refufe  to  re 
ceive,  in  theirs,  any  but  their  own  productions. 
The  firftand  fecond  claufes  of  the  bill  reported  by 
She  committee  are  well  formed"  to  effect  this  object. 

4th.  Where  a  nation  refufes  to  confider  any  veflel 
;rs  which  has  not  been  built  within  our  territo- 
.  we  fhould  refufe  to  confider  as  theirs  r.ny  vef- 
icl  not  built  within  their  territories. 

5th.  Where  a   .nation  refufes  to  onr  veflels  the 

.age  even  of  our  own  productions   to  certain 

r-.:imtries  under  their  domination,  we  might  refufe  to 

rsj  of  every  defcription,  the  carriage  of  the  ;; 

productions  to  the  fame  countries.     3utasjufKce. 

?,»i)od.  neighbourhood  would  dictate,  that  thofe 

-who  have  no  pi\,".  ii  <.[i  the  rtitrictioa  on  us> 

Jaoi;l/i  iiot  t-f  *"d  to  de- 


APPENDIX,  32.3 

feat  its  effect,  it  may  be  proper  to  confine  the  re- 
ilricftion  of  veiTels  owned  or  navigated  by  any  fub- 
jecls  of  the  fame  dominant  power,  other  than  the  in- 
habi^ants  of  the  country  to  which  the  faid  produc 
tions  are  to  be  carried.- — And  to  prevent  all  incon 
venience  to  the  faid  inhabitants,  and  to  our  own, 
by  too  fudden  a  check  on  the  means  of  tranfporta- 
tion,  we  may  continue  to  admit  the  veflels  marked 
for  future  exclusion,  on  an  advanced  tonnage,  and 
for  fuch  length  of  time  only,  as  may  be  fuppofed  ne- 
ceflary  to  provide  againft  that  inconvenience. 

The  eftablifhment  of  fome  of  thefe  principles  by 
Great-Britain  alone  has  already  loft  us,  in  our  com 
merce  with  that  country  and  its  pofleflions,  between 
eight  and  nine  hundred  vefTels  of  near  40,000  tons 
burthen,  according  to  ftatements  from  official  mate 
rials,  in  which  they  have  confidence.  This  involves 
a  proportional  lofs  of  feamen,  fliipwrights,  and  fhip- 
building,  and  is  too  ierious  a  lofs  to  admit  forbear 
ance  of  fome  effectual  remedy. 

It  is  true  we  muft  expert  fome  inconvenience 
in  practice,  from  the  eftablifhment  of  difcriminating 
duties.  But  in  this,  as  in  fo  many  other  cafes,  we 
are  left  to  choofe  between  two  evils.  Thefe  incon 
veniences  are  nothing  when  weighed  againft  the  lofs 
of  wealth  and  lofs  of  force,  which  will  follow  bur 
perfeverance  in  the  plan  of  indifcrimination. — • 
When  once  it  fliall  be  perceived  that  we  are  either 
in  the  fyftem  or  the  habit  of  giving  equal  advantages 
to  thofe  who  extinguifh  our  commerce  and  naviga 
tion,  by  duties  and  prohibitions,  as  to  thofe  who 
treat  both  with  liberality  and  juftice,  liberality  and 
juflice  will  be  converted  by  all  into  duties  and  pro 
hibition:;.  It  is  not  to  the  moderation  and  juftice 
of  others  we  are  to  truft  for  fair  and  equal  accefs  to 
market  with  our  productions,  or  for  our  due  fhare 
in  the  tranfportation  of  them;  but  to  our  rneanApf 
independence,  and  the  firm  will  to  ufe  them, 
do  the  icLconveaiencies  of  diicrknination  merit  con? 

fideraticii, 


APPENDIX. 

fideration.  Not  one  of  the  nations  before  mention  - 
ed,  perhaps  not  a  commercial  nation  on  earth,  is 
without  them.  In  our  cafe  one  diftinclion  alone 
will  fuffice,  that  is  to  fay,  between  nations  who  fa 
vour  our  productions  and  navigation,  and  thofe 
who  do  not  favour  them.  One  fet  of  moderate  du 
ties,  fay  the  prefent  duties,  for  the  firft,  and  a  fixed 
advance  on  thefe  as  to  fome  articles,  and  prohibitions 
as  to  others,  for  the  laft. 

Still  it  muft  be  repeated,  that  friendly  arrange 
ments  are  preferable  with  all  who  will  come  into 
them;  and  that  we  fhould  carry  into  fuch  arrange 
ments  all  the  liberality  and  fpirit  of  accommodation, 
which  the  nature  of  the  cafe  will  admit. 

France  has,  of  her  own  accord,  propofed  nego- 
ciations  for  improving,  by  a  new  treaty,  on  fair  and 
equal  principles,  the  commercial  relations  of  the  two 
countries.  But  her  internal  difturbances  have  hi 
therto  prevented  the  profecution  of  them  to  effect, 
though  we  have  had  repeated  aflurances  of  a  conti 
nuance  of  the  difpoiition. 

Propofals  of  friendly  arrangement  have  been  made 
on  our  part  by  the  prefent  government  to  that  of 
Great-Britain,  as  the  meflage  itates ;  but,  being  already 
on  as  good  a  footing  in  law, and  a  better  in  fact,  than 
the  moft  favoured  nation,  they  have  not  as  yet  dif- 
covered  any  difpofition  to  have  it  meddled  with. 

We  have  no  reafon  to  conclude  that  friendly  ar 
rangements  would  be  declined  by  the  other  nations 
with  whom  we  have  fuch  commercial  intercourse  as 
may  render  them  important.  In  the  mean  while,  it 
would  reft  with  the  wifdom  of  Congrefs  to  determine 
whether,  as  to  thofe  nations,  they  will  not  furceafe 
exparte  regulations,  on  the  reafonable  prefumption 
that  they  will  concur  in  doing  whatever  juftice  and 
moderation  dictate  fhould  be  clone. 

THOMAS  JEFFERSON. 

P.  S.  Since  writing  the  above,  fome  alterations  of 
the  condition  of  our  commerce  with  fome  fovereigti 

nations 


APPENDIX.  22j 

liations  have  taken  place.  France  has  propofed  to 
enter  into  a  new  treaty  of  commerce  with  us,  on 
liberal  principles;  and  has,  in  the  mean  time,  relaxed 
fome  of  the  reftraints  mentioned  in  the  Report. 
Spain  has,  by  an  ordinance  of  June  la  ft,  eftabiifhed 
New  Orleans,  Penfacola,  and  St.  Auguftine,  into 
free  ports,  for  the  vefiels  of  friendly  nations  having 
treaties  of  commerce  with  her,  provided  they  touch 
for  a  permit  at  Corcubion  in  Gallicia,  or  at  Alicant; 
and  our  rice  is  by  the  fame  ordinance  excluded  from 
that  country. 

The  following  are  fome  of  tJie  principal  Articles  of  Ex- 
portalion  from  the  United  States  of  America  during 
the  Year  ending  in  September ,  1792. 

Three  millions  one  hundred  and  forty  thoufand 
two  hundred  and  fifty-five  bufhels  of  grain  (princi* 
pally  wheat). 

One  million  four  hundred  and  fixty-nine  thoufand 
feven  hundred  and  twenty-three  barrels  of  flour, 
meal,  bifcuit,  and  rice  (reducing  calks  of  various 
fizes  to  the  proportion  of  flour  barrels). 

Sixty  million  fix  hundred  and  forty-fix  thoufand 
eight  hundred  and  fixty-one  feet  of  boards,  plank, 
-md  fcaritling  (inch  board  meafnre). 

Thirty-one  million  feven  hundred  and  fixty  thou* 
fand  feven  hundred  and  two  iiaves  and  hoops. 

Seventy-one  million  fix  hundred  and  ninety- thred 
thoufand  eight  hundred  and  fixty-tree  fliingles. 

Nineteen  thoufand  three  hundred  and  ninety-one 
and  a  half  tons  of  timber. 

Eighteen  thoufand  three  hundred  and  feventy-foue 
pieces  of  timber. 

One  thoufand  and  eighty  cedar  and  oak  fliip  knees. 

One  hundred  and  ninety-one  frames  of  houfes. 

Seventy-three  thoufand  three  hundred  and  eigh 
teen  oars,  rafters  for  oars,  and  handfpikes. 

Forty-eight  thoufand  eight  hundred  and  fixty 
ihook  or  knock  down  calks, 

One 


226  APPENDIX. 

One  hundred  and  forty-fix  thoufand  nine  hundred 
and  nine  barrels  of  tar,  pitch,  turpentine  and  rofin. 

Nine  hundred  and  forty-eight  thoufand  one  hun 
dred  and  fifteen  gallons  of  fpirits,  diftilled  in  the 
United  States. 

One  hundred  and  fixteen  thoufand  eight  hundred 
and  three  barrels  of  beef,  pork,  bacon,  mutton,  oyf- 
ters,  &c.  (reducing  cafks  of  various  fizes  to  the  pro 
portion  of  beef  and  pork  barrels.) 

Two  hundred  and  thirty-one  thoufand  feven  hun 
dred  and  feventy-fix  barrels  of  dried  and  pickled  finY 

Seven  thoufand  eight  hundred  and  twenty-three 
tons  twelve  cwt.and4.lb.  of  potafhes  and  pearl  allies. 

One  hundred  and  twelve  thoufand  four  hundred 
and  twenty-eight  hogftieads  of  tobacco. 

Fifty*two  thoufand  three  hundred  and  eighty-one 
hogfheads  of  flax-feed. 

Forty-four  thoufand  feven  hundred  and  fifty-two 
horfes,  horned  cattle,  mules,,  and  (lieep. 

The  preceding  extract  from  the  copy  of  an  authen 
tic  official  return  of  all  the  exports  from  the  United 
States  of  America,  within  the  year,  ending  in  Sep 
tember  laft,  conveys  an  idea  of  the  wealth,  import 
ance,  and  progrcffive  profperity  of  that  country,  far 
furpaffing  what  has  been  heretofore  entertained  on 
the  fubjeft. 

P.  S.  From  the  ift  of  January,  1793,  to  the  ift  of 
January,  1794,  there  were  exported  from  the  port  of 
Philadelphia,  422,075  barrels  of  flour. 

Of  the  Civil  Lift,  and  Re-venue  of  the  United  States. 

Ab draft  of  an  Eftimate  of  the  Expenditures  of  the 
civil  lift  of  the  United  States,  for  the  year  1793,  re 
ported  by  A.  Hamilton,  Secretary  cf  the  Treafury 
to  the  Hbule  of  Reprefentatives. 

Dollars. 

Prefident's  Salary    ,  25,000 

Vice- Prefident's  ditto  fj.ooo 

Chief  Juitice  4,000 

AfTociate  Juflices  J7?5oo 

Ail 


APPENDIX. 

All  the  diftria  Judges 

Congrefs 

Treafury  Department 

Department  of  State 

Department  of  W*r 

Commiffioners  of  old  accounts 

Loan  Offices 

Weftern  Territory 

Amount  of  Penfions 

Contingencies 

Total  3  52, 466  or 

In  Britifh  Money  /.  79,304  17  oftcrl, 

The  Revenues. 

The  American  revenue,  for  1793,  is  ftated  to  be 
4,400,000  dollars,  exclu.fi ve  of  what  may  arife  from 
the  fale  of  lands  in  the  Weftern  Territory ;  there  is 
likevvife  upwards  of  the  value  of  5,000,000  dollars 
in  bullion,  lying  in  the  Bank  of  the  United  States. 
Eftimate  of  Ex  pence  for  the  Year  1794. 

Dols.     Cents, 

The  whole  Civil  Lift  for  1794,  is      397,201     6 
• — —  Extraordinaries   for  Pub 
lic  Works,  Benevolences,  &c.      -      147,693  43 
- Eftimate  of  the  War  Ex- 


pences  for  1794     -----   1,457,936 


Total         2,002,830     50 

The  Dollar  is  45.  6d.  fterling,  and  the  Cent  is  the 
hundredth  part  of  a  Dollar. 

The  celebrated  Mr.  Thomas  Paine,  in  his  letter 
to  Mr.  Secretary  Dundas,  publiihed  in  London  in 
the  month  of  June,  1792,  and  who  'on  this  fubjec~r, 
(without  offending  any  party)  may  be  entitled  to 
credit,  gives  a  ftatement'of  the  expences  of  the  Ame 
rican  government  in  the  following  words: 

The  expences  of  all  the  feveral  departments  of  the 
General  Reprefentative  Government  of  the  United 
of  America,  extending  over  a  fpace  of  country 

near! 


;»a$  APTEXDIX. 

nearly  ten  times  larger  than  England,  is  two  hun 
dred  and  ninety-four  thoufand  five  hundred  and  fifty- 
eight  dollars,  which  at  45.  6d.  per  dollar,  is  66,275!. 
us.  fterling,  and  is  thus  apportioned: 

••Ex fences  of  the  Executive  Department. 
The  Office  of  the  Prefidency,  at  which 

the  Prefident    receives   nothing   for      £.         s. 
himfclf          -----      5,625     o 
Vice  Prefident  -  -      1,125     o 

Chief  -Juftice  -  -          900     o 

Five  aflbciate  Juftices  -      3?937   10 

Nineteen  Judges  of  Diftri&s  and  Attor 
ney  General         -  -      6,873   IS 

Lcgijlative  Department. 
Members   of    Congrefs  at  fix  dollars 
(il.  75.)  per  day,  their   Secretaries, 
Clerks,  Chaplains,  Meflengers,  Door 
keepers,  &c.  •*    ojS'S     ° 

Treafury  Department. 

-Secretary,  Affiftant,  Comptroller,  Audi 
tor,  Treafurer,    Regifter,  and  Loan- 
Office-Keeper,  in  each  ftate,  together 
with    all    neceflary   Clerks,    Office- 
Keepers,  &c.  12,825     ° 
Department  of  State,  including  Foreign  Affairs. 
.Secretary,  Clerks,  &c.  &c.                  -      1,406     5 

Department  cf  War. 

Secretary,  Clerks,  Pay  mailers,  Commif- 
•fioner,  &c.  -       1,46^   10 

Commijfioners  for  fettling  Old  Accounts* 
The  whole  Board,  Clerks,  &c.       -       -       2,598   15 

Incidental  and  Contingent  Expences. 
.For   Fire     Wood,     Stationary,    Print 
ing,  &c.  •      4,006   1 6 

Total  ^6,275  ij 

F  I  N  I  S. 


o so 


